Radiation has always been in everyday life even before Roentgen discovered X-rays. Mountains emit natural radiation, other forms of radiation are coal-fired power plants, of a TV and a plane trip. The average background radiation dose is approximately 360 mrem each year. There are two types of radiation, non-ionizing and ionizing radiation. Examples of non-ionizing radiation are microwaves and radio wave transmission. Ionizing radiation refers to gamma and X-rays. Ionizing radiation means that the rays are capable of removing an electron from the atom and therefore ions can form. Ions can cause damage when they react with other atoms. Cells can be repaired if low doses are received. However, if the cells receive a high dose, they will be damaged or possibly die. If the cell is permanently damaged, it is called a mutated cell. There are ways to better understand how radiation affects the body compared to other daily activities. If an occupational worker receives 1 rem per year it is possible that 51 days are lost. A person who smokes 20 cigarettes a day shaves about 6 years off their life. People who are 15% overweight take about 2 years off their lives. In reality, radiation would appear to be no more harmful than other daily activities that people choose to carry out, such as smoking, chewing tobacco or sky diving. The risk of taking days, weeks, years away from your life will always be present depending on the activity you choose to be part of. However, radiation exposure in healthcare is used to prolong the patient's life by helping them find out what is happening in their body. A patient coming in with RLQ pain, nausea and vomiting, then an xr abdomen... middle of the card... from the radiation, the radiation source is coming from underneath the patient. Spot fluoroscopy should be used to minimize radiation to the patient, radiologist, and radiographer. The radiologist and radiology technician must wear a lead apron and a thyroid shield. A lead guard is placed on the front to protect the radiologist and technician. (Statkiewicz-Sherer, 1983) Radiation has changed dramatically over the last 118 years. Exposures are much quicker, digital imaging is a possibility in most hospitals, and most importantly, radiation protection. Many people have died, some without realizing they were killing themselves, because of the advancement of X-rays. Thanks to these advances doctors are able to tell patients what is happening very quickly and without too much delay. It is very important to remember the 3 cardinal rules: distance, time and shielding.