Hi, I Am A 27 Year Old Male. I Have

Posted on Fri, 29 Mar 2019

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 29 Mar 2019 Answered on

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Question : Hi, I am a 27 year old Male. I have been exposed to 7 msv in the past 2 months. I am aware of background radiation but is 7 msv in 2 months safe? Is that the same risk as getting 70 msv per year? ( 12 months per year and 2 times 10 is 70) ? Very worried please write back

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Radiation of 7mSv in 2 months is much less than 70 mSv in a year

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing in.

There is supposed to be a lifetime increase in malignancy of 1 percent per 50 mSv exposure per year or 100 mSv exposure per 3 years.

There is not much information on radiation exposure per months. Therefore your 7 mSv exposure in 2 months can be treated as 7 mSv exposure in a year, if you do not get any more radiation over the next 10 months.

We cant compare 7 mSv in a month to 70 mSv in a year. 70 mSv in a year is considered high and 7mSv is not significant.

Regards,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (2 hours later)

I may add - the 7 mSv was due to medical imaging. Should I be worried ?

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (16 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Not significant radiation exposure

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing in to us.

Radiation of 7 mSv due to imaging is not significant. Please do not worry.

Regards,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad