Standard X-rays are the foundation of medical imaging. Whether checking for a broken bone in your foot or screening for chest infections, X-rays are fast and effective. However, because they use ionizing radiation, many patients feel anxious about their safety.
The level of radiation is very low
The amount of radiation used in a standard diagnostic X-ray is extremely small. To make this relatable, scientists compare medical radiation to the natural background radiation we receive every day from the earth and outer space.
- A standard chest X-ray exposes you to about 0.1 mSv of radiation. This is equivalent to about 10 days of natural background radiation.
- An X-ray of a limb (like a hand or foot) uses even less—less than a single day of natural background radiation.
Because the dose is so small, the risk of developing any health issues from a standard diagnostic X-ray is practically zero.
How the team keeps you safe
Radiographers follow a safety principle called ALARA, which stands for "As Low As Reasonably Achievable." This means they use the absolute minimum amount of radiation needed to get a clear, diagnostic picture.
- Lead shielding: The radiographer may place a lead apron or shield over your abdomen or pelvis to protect your reproductive organs from scattered radiation.
- Collimation: The X-ray machine is adjusted so the beam only hits the specific area being studied (for example, just your ankle), keeping the rest of your body completely safe.
- Behind the screen: The radiographer stands behind a lead-shielded wall or screen during the exposure. They do this because they perform dozens of scans every day, and cumulative exposure must be prevented for staff.
Preparing for your X-ray
X-rays require almost no preparation. You can eat and drink normally. The most important step is to wear loose, comfortable clothing and remove any metal objects from the area being scanned. Metals block X-rays and show up as white shapes, which can hide fractures or infections on the image.
Pregnancy guidelines
If you are pregnant or think you might be, always inform the radiographer before the scan. While standard X-rays of the limbs or chest expose the womb to almost zero radiation, the team will take extra precautions (like double shielding) or discuss using ultrasound instead.
A comforting close
Standard X-rays are exceptionally safe and provide your referring doctor with vital information in minutes. The risk of missing a fracture or infection far outweighs the negligible radiation risk of a diagnostic X-ray.