OCR Text |
Show ieicinij YOUP Reflation Enposurc Fear of radiation exposure from many sources has Utahn's very nervous these days. Revelations coming from Washington, D.C. about nuclear testing in the 1950's, combined with mining and refining of uranium and the tailings left from this work, have people on edge. ADD TO this, the new fear from medical sources and our population is getting a little uptight over the nuclear age. X-ray technology, which has saved countless lives over the years, is suddenly suspected sus-pected of contributing to the ill health of citizens who are exposed too frequently to the testing. THE committee on the Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation-National Academy of Sciences has just published a report on exposure to radiation from controlled sources, such as X-ray. This low level radiation, it has been discovered, may be a contributor to cancer when administered over a long period of time much the same as low level continuous exposure to radioactive mill tailings, or A-bomb fallout. THE BIGGEST problem the scientists face, and readily admit, is no one knows how much radiation at very low levels is dangerous. About all they can say is the more radiation you are exposed to the greater your chances of cancer. For your protection the following list of guidelines should be followed, according to Good Housekeeping magazine : 1. KEEP records of your X-ray, who ordered it, and its purpose. 2. Try to take X-rays with : you when seeing a specialist " : or changing physicians. 3. QUESTION routine X-rays X-rays for children. 4. Ask for a tuberculin skin test rather than a chest X-ray. , 5. DONT submit to dental " X-rays with every visit unless the dentist feels you have some particular problem. 6. Be sure you are shielded from X-rays when other ' ! family members have necessary neces-sary X-rays. ' THERE IS new equipment available which has reduced the amount of radiation to achieve the same results. In addition, ultrasound and thermography (temperature measurements in different tissues) have reduced the j necessity for much X-ray. Experts feel that limiting : ! the amount ot unnecessary j exposure to X-ray is the first :. . step in protecting yourself ; ' j from a deadly disease 15 or 30 .: I years down the road. THERE IS enough uncontrolled uncon-trolled radiation exposure in : our environment that we need .: ; not expose ourselves unnecessarily. ; v |