Cite this article as:
Davis, T. Levels of radiation from imaging, Don't Forget the Bubbles, 2013. Available at: http://doi.org/10.31440/DFTB.1074
Typical Effective Dose (mSv)
Number of chest X-rays (PA film) for Equivalent Effective Dose
Time Period for Equivalent Effective Dose from Natural Background Radiation
Abdo CT
8
400
2.7 years
Chest CT
5
250
1.7 years
Head CT
2
100
243 days
Barium enema
8
400
2.7 years
Upper GI
6
300
2 years
IVU
3
150
1 year
Lumbar spine
1.5
75
182 days
Skull x-ray
0.1
5
12 days
Chest x-ray (PA film)
0.02
1
2.4 days
Airline flight
0.02
1
2.4 days
Average effective dose in millisieverts (mSv) as compiled by Fred A. Mettler, Jr., et al., “Effective Doses in Radiology and Diagnostic Nuclear Medicine: A Catalog,” Radiology Vol. 248, No. 1, pp. 254-263, July 2008.
Based on the assumption of an average “effective dose” from chest x ray (PA film) of 0.02 mSv.
Based on the assumption of an average “effective dose” from natural background radiation of 3 mSv per year.
References
Radiation Emitting Products, US Food and Drug Administration, accessed online
Levels of radiation from imaging
Davis, T. Levels of radiation from imaging, Don't Forget the Bubbles, 2013. Available at:
http://doi.org/10.31440/DFTB.1074
References