[freepersup]

I believe a chest x-ray is around 80 milirem, so if one was to multiply 80 by 200-300, the exposure is possibly 16,000-24,000 milirem, divided by 1,000, to get the number of rem, which would be 160-240 rem, an astonishingly high exposure. What I don't know, is whether x-rays and gamma rays harm the body equally, so the conversion may be folly.

The NRC sets a lifetime exposure of 50 rem for radiological industry workers. According to the industry standards, a 650 rem, total body exposure, is a lethal dose. 50% of those exposed to 650 rem are expected to die in 2 weeks. What I don't know, is how long the exposure has to be, to the whole body, to get a lethal dose at 650 rem.

Granted, a CT scan is focused, therefore practically the entire body escapes exposure to a high dose of radiation. Not something to take lightly though.

In your son's case, it is easy to discern that, the benefit of knowing how much damage to his body existed internally, versus the exposure, was worth the trade off.

That's one scary injury. Hopefully, he healed up and is healthy as ever.

[RoadGumby]

make that 16 to 24 Rem, wjile still high, not life threatening in the least.

[Marie]

I knew that guy was a butt-head! ;-)