Reducing patient exposure to ionizing radiation--is it really necessary?

The thesis that medical radiation exposures to the general population in the United States are excessive and that urgent steps need to be taken to reduce them is examined. At the present time, no evidence is found that deleterious effects result from radiation exposures at the level of a few rads or less. Nevertheless it is prudent that we assume the possibility of harmful effects of radiation exposure. However, because medical radiology is clearly so beneficial, and the harmful effects are problematical, it is doubtful whether the public should be alarmed by the suggestion of any crisis. A balancing of risks and benefits in the medical uses of radiology supports this latter contention.