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24 May 2012

Answer to Question #816 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

Category: Radiation Effects — Medical and Dental Radiation

The following question was answered by an expert in the appropriate field:

Why are x rays bad for you?

X rays are not "bad" for you. X rays can produce serious injury at very high doses but such exposures are very rare outside of medical uses. In the medical setting, x rays are used to diagnose many diseases and cure diseases such as cancer. To cure cancer, high radiation doses are used that may result in unwanted side effects such as skin burns and hair loss. However, in spite of the seriousness of these effects the benefits of x-ray therapy (for cancer) is worth it. Ken Mossman, Ph.D.

Answer posted on 30 March 2001. The information and material posted on this website is intended as general reference information only. Specific facts and circumstances may alter the concepts and applications of materials and information described herein. The information provided is not a substitute for professional advice and should not be relied upon in the absence of such professional advice specific to whatever facts and circumstances are presented in any given situation. Answers are correct at the time they are posted on the Website. Be advised that over time, some requirements could change, new data could be made available, or Internet links could change. For answers that have been posted for several months or longer, please check the current status of the posted information prior to using the responses for specific applications.