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FDA Cracking Down On X-ray Exposure For Kids
ericjones12398 writes "The Food and Drug Administration is proposing that manufacturers of X-ray machines and CT scanners do more to protect children from radiation exposure. If companies don't take steps to limit X-ray doses, the agency may require a label on their new equipment recommending it not be used on children. X-rays and CT scans can provide doctors with lots of useful information. But the radiation that creates the helpful images also increases a person's risk for cancer. There's been an explosion in the use of imaging tests. And rising radiation doses, particularly from CT scans, have drawn concern. The cancer risk increases with the dose of X-rays received during a person's lifetime, so kids' exposure is particularly important. It's also the case that children are more sensitive to X-ray damage. The FDA is also telling parents to speak up. If a doctor orders a test or procedure that uses X-rays, parents shouldn't be afraid to ask if it's really necessary. Also, it doesn't hurt to ask if there's an acceptable alternative, such as ultrasound or MRI, that doesn't rely on X-rays."
Perhaps the fact that the TSA scanners are NOT regulated by the FDA, not certified by them, nor do they license their operators, might change your mind.
It's worth noting that the Society for Pediatric Radiology has had a campaign (http://www.pedrad.org/associations/5364/ig/) called Image Gently for a couple years now to raise awareness of this in the radiology community, and in general the trend us towards doing more with MRIs, especially with children.