Ionizing radiation from medical imaging accounts for nearly half of the radiation exposure experienced by the population globally. This article presents an overview of the effects of radiation exposure. Ionizing radiation involves the detachment of electrons from subatomic particles or electromagnetic waves (eg, photons) at the atomic or molecular level, thus forming ions. Ionizing radiation is used for interventional and diagnostic radiology procedures, and in higher doses, for therapeutic and palliative procedures in the context of radiation oncology.
Biologic effects The proposed mechanism for cellular damage by ionizing radiation involves the production of free radicals. These free radicals interfere with chemical bonds between molecules that regulate key cellular processes. Direct interaction between ionizing radiation and cellular macromolecules leads to DNA mutation or cell…
