Radiation and Medical X-rays | US EPA

EPA is not a medical agency, and does not regulate the use of radiation in medical diagnosis and treatment.  For more information, please visit the links below.

States

Individual states regulate the practice of medicine by licensing doctors. Qualified physicians and other specialized healthcare workers are permitted to use their professional experience and discretion when deciding how much radiation should be used to diagnose or treat a patient. For that reason, the use of radiation in medical imaging is exempt from federal dose limits.

State Radiation Protection Programs 
The Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors (CRCPD)
This webpage provides links and contact information for each state’s Radiation Control Program office.

Radiation Control: Ionizing Radiation Machines (X-ray)
Florida Department of Health
On this webpage, you can learn about x-ray machines and radiation safety.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

While states regulate use of x-ray equipment, the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) regulates the manufacturing of electronic radiation-emitting products, such as CT scanners and x-ray machines.

We Want You to Know About X-rays: Get the Picture on Protection
This webpage offers information on the risks and benefits of medical x-rays, as well as information on what you should know before having an x-ray.

FDA Computed Tomography (CT)
This site provides detailed information on CT scan technology, risks and regulation.

Radiation-emitting Products Fluoroscopy 
This webpage provides fluoroscopy information for patients and healthcare providers.

Mammography From the FDA Office of Women’s Health
This site answers frequently asked questions for consumers regarding mammograms.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

The CDC provides information about radiation in medicine, including the benefits and risks of procedures that utilize radiation.

Radiation in Medicine: X-rays
This webpage provides information about the benefits and risks of medical tests that use radiation.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB)

The NIBIB provides information about certain science topics, including some medical procedures that use radiation.

Computed Tomography (CT)
This webpage provides information about CT scans and discusses when a CT scan might be needed and any associated risks.

The American College of Radiology (ACR) and Radiological Society of North America (RSNA)

ACR and RSNA sponsor a public information website to inform and educate the public about radiological procedures and the role of radiologists in healthcare, and to improve communications between physicians and their patients.

Mammography
This webpage answers frequently asked questions about mammograms.

The American Dental Association (ADA)

The ADA, in collaboration with the FDA, developed recommendations on how to best use diagnostic imaging procedures that use radiation.

Oral Health Topics: X-rays
The ADA’s Mouth Healthy website provides information about radiation and dental x-rays.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

The IAEA provides information about safe and effective use of radiation in medicine in their Radiation Protection of Patients (RPOP) program.

Radiation Protection of Patients (RPOP): Fluoroscopy
The webpage provides an overview of fluoroscopy and detailed questions and answers for healthcare providers about reducing exposure.