The fallacy of comparing diagnostic radiation with background radiation; and the need to learn from past mistakes

Abstract

The subject of radiation exposure for diagnostic purposes is currently a ‘hot’ topic, and it is appropriate that the debate around this issue is given exposure in the pages of the SAJR. I would like to comment on a few of the points raised by Dr Tipler in his article that appeared in the June 2010 SAJR.

Keywords

• Radiation dose
• CT scanning
• background radiation
• radiation as a cause of cancer