Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-06-13
BY JAMES Y. NEWTON

Leading scientists warned TO-
day that medical uses of radia-
ton such as X-ray have pre-
scented more of a hazard to hui
man reproductive cells than
have atomic weapons tests.
They recommended for this
reason that 1.-The medical use OF
X-rays should be reduced as
much as is consistent with med
ical necessity"
This finding was included by
the National Academy of Sci
ences in a report on year-long
study of the biological effects of
atomic radiations. More than
100 scientists are taking part in
the continuing study.
They warned that radiation
from any source-bombs. nuclear
reactors, natural environment
and medical X-rays-is harmful
to life. This first in a series of
reports emphasized that exposure
of individuals and the world
population as whole should be
carefully controlled.
Urge Records of Exposure
A major recommendation OF
the experts was that individual
records be kept of the lifetime
radiation exposure of all persons
Major emphasis in the report
was placed on the effect of an
overdose of radiation from any
source on reproductive cells and
the danger through mutations to
future generations. But the sci
entists emphasized it is moi
known how much radiation con-
stituteS an overdose and that any
amount is harmful, genetically
speaking.
The report estimated that the
reproductive cells of the averace
person over a 30-year period
would receive from six to 15C
times as much radiation from
x-ray and microscopes than
from "fallout" from weapons
tests if the tests are continued
at the rate of the last five years
3 Sources of Radiation
Americans at present, it was
pointed out, are exposed tc
radiation from three sources
natural background" - the
amount encountered naturally
from cosmic rays and radioac-
tive deposits in the earth; med
ical and dental x-rays and from
fall-out of weapons testing.
The 30-year dose to the re-
productive cells of the average
person from each of these
sources was estimated as fol-
lows: background, 4.3 RoentgenS
"a Roentgen is unit measuring
the strength of radiation. Ar
average dental X-ray, for ex-
ample. delivers 5 Roentgens tc
the patients jaw but only five-
thousandths of a Roentgen to
more remote parts of the body
such as the sex glands; x-rays
and microscopy. about three
Roentgens; atomic weapon
tests, at the rate of testing of
the past five years, about one
tenth of Roentgen.
But the scientists said the
estimated 30-year accumulation
of radiation from weapons tests
may be of by factor of five. -
The possible range was placed
at from .02 to 5 RoentgenS.
Call X-Ray Use "PrOfIigate"
I'VE have been rather prof.
ligate in the use of x-rays," DIR.
Warren Weaver, Rockefeller
Foundation scientist who headed
the study's Committee on &C.
netic Effects of Radiation, told
reporters at a seminar preced-
ing release of the report.
DR.. Weaver said it was clear
the medical profession would
want to re-examine all areas of
the use of x-ray and see if it
were necessary" He added that
society pays very definitely"
for the use of x-ray and I'VE
should be sure the benefits
from it outweigh the genetic
disadvantages"
just as his committee dis
covered with deep concern and
surprise" the effect of x-ray on
human beings, DR.. Weaver said
it was a relief" to find that
the body absorbed so little ra-
diation from past weapons test
ing.
The academy's 81, 00O-word
report said that as yet there
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