ANALYSIS OF DATA FROM A SYSTEM OF ASSESSMENT OF THE GONADAL RADIATION DOSE DURING RADIOGRAPHIC PROCEDURES.

The radiation hazard, if any, from diagnostic x-ray examinations was assessed in a study divided into three phases: (1) the gathering of data to allow estimation of the total gonadal dose received by each patient; (2) the accumulation of the individual and accumulative gonadal-dose totals on a large group of patients; (3) the examination and follow-up of patients who had received a substantial gonadal dose to determine any relationship between small recurring doses of ionizing radiation and various indices of somatic and genetic damage.The mean gonadal dose received by females was much higher than that received by males-1012 mr. as compared to 310 mr. Of 7021 individuals in this study, only 428 (6.1%) received 2 r. or more during the three-year test period. No definite conclusions as to radiation hazard could be made. A system, however, has been developed which, if continued, could eventually produce this basic information.