Genetic Problems Related to Radiology Practices

Because of the projected rise in diagnostic radiation, there is great concern with concomitant genetic risks. Discussed are the nature of mutation, the rates applying to actual clinical practices, the biological and physical variables which influence these rates, and the present human burden of genetic defects and methods of predicting the consequences of increased exposure. Assuming an added exposure of 125 mrads per year, an increase of 1.02-1.50 over the present burden of defects is calculated. If an increase of 10% is reasonable, the present burden of 6% could rise to 6.6% after many generations of exposure.