The use of radiation apparatus is regulated by Queensland Health under the Radiation Safety Act 1999. Physique Sciences Radiation Safety and Protection Plan provides that we limit exposure from DEXA body composition scans to no more than six (6) scans in a 12 month period.
DEXA scanning involves ionising radiation but it is a very low radiation dose, approximately 4 uSv for a full body scan using our unit, the Hologic Discovery Wi. The table below compares radiation dose values (in effective dose) for some context. An extract from a published journal article explaining the radiation risks of DEXA total body scanning is available on our website and in our reception for further reading. This article concludes there is no scientific evidence of risk at doses below about 50 uSv in a short time.
Effective dose values for Hologic Fanbeam DXA and other imaging procedures & background radiation*
Procedure Client Dose (uSv)
Body CT scan 5000 - 15000
Head CT scan 2000 4000
Lumbar Spine X-ray 600 - 1700
Dental bitewing 60
7 hr aeroplane flight 50
Chest X-ray 40 - 50
DXA bone mineral assessment 11
Natural background radiation (daily) 6-8
DXA whole body composition 1-4
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May 29, 2022