How harmful are x-rays?

X-ray radiation is measured in millirems.

The maximum yearly exposure for safety as outlined for Canadian and U.S. radiation workers has been set to 5000 millirems.

The following is a list of typical examinations and the amount of radiation (in millirems) that our bone marrow is exposed to:

High Dose Group:

Mammography breast exam	1000
Barium enema lower GI series	875
Pelvimetry	595
Barium meal upper GI series	535
Lumbosacral spine (lower spine)	450
Small bowel series	422
IV pyelogram (looking at urinary tract)	247

Medium Dose Group:

Gallbladder	168
Abdomen	147
Ribs	143
Pelvis	133
Skull	78
Hip	72

Low Dose Group:

Cervical spine (neck)	52
Femur (upper leg)	21
Dental (full mouth series)	9
Dental (panorex)	1
Dental (bitewing)	0.5

Consider: we are exposed to radiation all day aside from the above exams. We receive background radiation from concrete buildings, roads and our electronics we depend on. All of this has a cumulative effect on oxidative damage to our body.

Limit exposure if possible where you can and do things to boost antioxidant activity in your body: eat colorful foods, get enough rest, keep your body well hydrated and limit other toxins that cause oxidative damage to the body such as alcohol, smoking cigarettes or vaping, eating processed foods.

Note: Tylenol depletes glutathione levels in the body. Glutathione is our master antioxidant. We want as much of this as possible to support our immune system.