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A rise in the number of X-rays is fuelling an increase in the amount of radiation people are exposed to each year, experts have said. There has been a 140% rise in the use of CT ( computed tomography ) scans over the last decade, according to the Health Protection Agency (HPA).

This has pushed up the annual radiation dose to each member of the public in the UK from all X-rays from 0.33 millisieverts (mSv) in 1997 to 0.4mSv. However, this level is still within safe limits and is lower than in comparable countries, the HPA said.

CT scans involve taking an X-ray and using a computer to create detailed images of the inside of the body, and can be used to diagnose or monitor a range of health problems, including bone disease and cancer. CT scans make up about 68% of the radiation dose to the public from all X-rays.

Some 1.4 million CT scans were carried out in 1997, jumping to 3.4 million in 2008, and around 20,000 of these were carried out on people with no symptoms who had opted for a private scan.

HPA experts believe about 46 million medical and dental X-ray examinations were carried out across the UK in 2008, a 10% rise since 1997. Some 67% of these procedures were performed in NHS hospitals and the rest in dental surgeries.

The NHS Breast Screening Programme accounted for 2.03 million X-rays in 2008, up 45% on 1997. This is due to more older women, up to the age of 70, undergoing screening.

Medical X-rays make up about 15% of the total amount of radiation people are exposed to, with other sources including radon from the ground. The average radiation dose from all sources of ionising radiation remains about 2.7mSv per person per year.

Dr John Cooper, director of the HPA's centre for radiation, chemical and environmental hazards, said: "Despite the increased use of diagnostic X-rays in medicine in the UK, the average dose to the population is still considerably lower than in comparable countries.

"This is because in the UK we carry out fewer X-ray examinations per head of population and because radiology departments are well managed by healthcare professionals. Well-framed regulations and guidance exist to maximise the clinical benefit and protect the public and workers."

Source: UKPA

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