Question: What are dangers in using x-eats if there are any ?

Laura Sinclair answered on 12 Nov 2019:

X-rays is electromagnetic radiation and makes up part of the electromagnetic spectrum (like microwaves, UV and visible light). X-rays are a high form of energy. They were discovered in 1895 by the scientist Wilhelm Röntgen, and were named X-radiation as they were unknown radiation.

In 1896 hazards from working with X-rays were soon noticed. Things such as hair loss and burns were reported, and in 1905 Elizabeth Fleischman, an American radiographer, died from complications resulting from her work with X-rays.

The reasons for this is that X-ray have enough energy to ionise atoms (this means remove electrons) and this can disrupt molecular bonds. Therefore, this is known as ionising radiation.

There are two things to consider with exposure to radiation, and the effects can be deterministic (so we know at a set exposure skin burns, or worse can happen) or random (there is a probability that something could happen). So at a very high radiation dose over a short period of time can cause radiation sickness. In comparison lower doses can give a (very small) increased risk of radiation-induced cancer. However, in imaging the benefit outweighs the risk.

This is why physicists are involved in medicine! We do lots of work in radiation protection, to make sure patients are safe when being imaged. X-rays and the like are obviously useful in diagnosing people. Therefore we have lots of safety measures in place and follow principles such as Time-Distance-Shielding to protect ourselves.