Artificial background radiation includes exposures from medical imaging.

Artificial background radiation includes exposures from medical imaging.

• A. It does not include medical imaging exposures
• B. It includes exposures from medical imaging
• C. It is unrelated to medical practices
• D. It is entirely natural sources only

Answer: (B)

Artificial background radiation refers to the portion of radiation exposure that comes from human-made sources, added to the natural background we’re all exposed to. Medical imaging—X-ray, CT, fluoroscopy, and similar diagnostic procedures that use ionizing radiation—are examples of these artificial sources. They contribute to the total dose a person receives and are considered part of artificial background, not natural background. That’s why stating that medical imaging exposures aren’t included is not accurate. It’s also not correct to say it’s unrelated to medical practices, since these exposures arise directly from medical care. And it isn’t true that artificial background is only natural sources, because human-made sources add to the natural background.

Artificial background radiation refers to the portion of radiation exposure that comes from human-made sources, added to the natural background we’re all exposed to. Medical imaging—X-ray, CT, fluoroscopy, and similar diagnostic procedures that use ionizing radiation—are examples of these artificial sources. They contribute to the total dose a person receives and are considered part of artificial background, not natural background.

That’s why stating that medical imaging exposures aren’t included is not accurate. It’s also not correct to say it’s unrelated to medical practices, since these exposures arise directly from medical care. And it isn’t true that artificial background is only natural sources, because human-made sources add to the natural background.