X-Rays
Question: (Human)
Dear Dr. Wysong:
I read your article on the Internet and will like to ask you more questions about x-rays.
I live in a residential neighborhood and now a big company that dedicates to x-rays for dental purposes has installed its offices and exams in the house besides mine. I am afraid this can damage my health and that of my family. Since they are there I feel different, like kind of sick. Please let me know if there are dangers of x-rays passing walls or contaminating the environment of our neighborhood.
Answer:
Dear Friend,
Unless the building producing the x-rays is properly shielded, there could indeed be a danger to you. X-rays and the scatter from them can pass through about all building materials other than lead. Even small doses over a prolonged time are of concern since the effects are cumulative.