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Table 3 Effective radiation doses (μSv) from ambient exposure, DXA scanning, and radiographic tests [96, 98]

From: Official position of the Brazilian Association of Bone Assessment and Metabolism (ABRASSO) on the evaluation of body composition by densitometry: part I (technical aspects)—general concepts, indications, acquisition, and analysis

Exam

Dose

Lunar iDXA (standard model)

4.7 μSv*

Natural background radiation

0.3–1.4 μSv per day (1–5 mSv per year) **

Intraoral dental radiograph

5 μSv *

Abdominal X-rays

20–190 μSv*

Chest X-rays (posteroanterior and lateral)

32–60 μSv*

Lateral X-rays of the thoracic or lumbar spine

300 μSv*

Mammography

400 μSv*

  1. *Radiation level depending on the technique used and the exposed area. **Radiation level according to the altitude and type of soil, among other factors