X-rays: About X-ray exposure
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Risks of X-ray exposure
People may be exposed to X-rays from medical procedures or from non-medical sources. This exposure can cause health effects, with the risk corresponding to the dose received. Factors such as age, sex and portion of body exposed can also affect the degree of risk for individuals.
Risks can be reduced by following the appropriate radiation safety measures. This includes following requirements for X-ray device labelling, construction and performance and ensuring these devices are installed properly and used safely.
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X-ray exposure in the workplace
Some workers such as X-ray equipment operators may be exposed to X-rays in their daily work.
It's important to establish and follow appropriate radiation safety measures in the workplace to keep the risk of exposure to X-ray equipment operators, other workers and the public as low as possible.
In general, the amount of X-rays to which a person is exposed in the workplace depends on factors such as the:
- type of equipment
- number of exposures
- design of the X-ray facility, such as:
- structural shielding
- distance from X-ray source
- use of personal protective equipment, such as:
- type of protection
- level of protection
- loading factors used for an X-ray device, such as:
- time
- current
- voltage
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