Health hazards of X-ray radiography

Two British scientists have combined available data concerning annual X-ray doses due to X-ray photographs with mathematical models of risk assessment that are based on studies made on Japanese that survived the atomic bomb. The British study shows that in developing countries X-ray photographing contributes from 0,6% to 1,8% of the total risk of developing a cancer. In Japan the contribution reaches 3,2%, this higher percentage is certainly due to the higher number of X-ray photographs that are prescribed. According to the 2 scientists these figures might be over-estimated but it is unlikely they are under-estimated. (A.C.)