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The distribution of medical X-ray doses amongst individuals in the British population

National Radiological Protection Board, Chilton, Didcot, Oxon 0X11 ORQ, UK ^* National Radiation Laboratory, PO Box 25099, Christchurch, New Zealand

This study has estimated the distribution of diagnostic X-ray doses amongst individuals in the British population by sampling the records kept by general practitioners (GPs) on their patients and the records held by the radiology department of a district general hospital. Deceased patients were chosen in the former case in order to evaluate the dose acquired over a complete lifetime. In each case, several hundred records were sampled. The GP data obtained have enabled an estimate to be made of the likelihood of reaching various dose levels in a lifetime. It is estimated that about 1% of the population has received a lifetime effective dose-equivalent of more than 100 mSv. The largest cumulative dose revealed by the samples of GP and radiology department records was about 200 mSv. The GP data have also shown that the last year of life sees a four-fold increase in the number of X-ray examinations experienced compared with the previous 9 years. The hospital data have allowed an estimate to be made of current rates of dose acquisition amongst the population of a District Health Authority.

Key Words: Diagnostic X rays • Patient doses • Cumulative doses • Distribution • Britain

Received for publication November 13, 1991. Revision received March 12, 1992. Accepted for publication May 6, 1992.