FDA to reduce medical radiation exposure

WASHINGTON, Feb. 9 (UPI) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says it is starting a program designed to reduce unnecessary medical radiation exposure.

The FDA said its initiative will focus on three types of imaging procedures: computed tomography, nuclear medicine and fluoroscopy. Those procedures, officials said, are the greatest contributors to total U.S. radiation exposure and use much higher radiation doses than other radiographic procedures, such as standard X-rays, dental X-rays and mammography.

Although the medical imaging procedures have led to early disease diagnoses that help save lives, the FDA said the imaging technology, as do all medical procedures, pose some risks.

"The amount of radiation Americans are exposed to from medical imaging has dramatically increased over the past 20 years," said Dr. Jeffrey Shuren, director of the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health. "The goal of FDA's initiative is to support the benefits associated with medical imaging, while minimizing the risks."

The federal agency said its initiative will promote the safe use of medical imaging devices, support informed clinical decision-making, and increased patient awareness of their own exposure.

The FDA said it also intends to issue requirements for manufacturers of imaging devices to incorporate safeguards into the design of their machines to develop safer technologies.

The agency said it will hold a public meeting March 30-31 to solicit input on what requirements to establish.

More information is available at http://www.fda.gov/Radiation-EmittingProducts/RadiationSafety.