Protection of the patient in diagnostic and therapeutic radiology the approach of national and international organizations and consequences for Israel

Diagnostic and therapeutic radiology both play have a role in health care of the population in a modern society. Diagnostic radiology consists of x-ray examinations (radiography, CT mammography, etc.) and nuclear medicine examinations (function testing, scanning, etc.). Therapeutic radiology involves the treatment of malignant and benign tumors by means of teletherapy (linear accelerators, 60Co irradiators, etc.), brachytherapy (intracavitary or interstitial) and the administration of unsealed radionuclides (131I, 32P and others) into the human body. These medical applications are the main source of exposure of the general population to ionizing radiation that arises from artificial sources. (authors). 12 refs