Calculation of the estimated collective effective dose equivalent (SE) due to x-ray diagnostic examinations--estimate of the SE in Finland.

The collective effective dose equivalent caused by diagnostic x-ray examinations in Finland has been estimated. The influence of how the remaining organs are selected, as specified by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP), on the effective dose equivalent, HE, has been studied. The doses to 23 different organs, including the six primary organs and 17 relevant remaining organs, were calculated. The HE was assessed by first choosing the five most exposed remaining organs according to the ICRP, and subsequently the 12 remaining organs. Depending on the type of examination, the difference in the respective effective dose equivalents was typically 20-40%. The estimated dose equivalent per capita is 0.7 mSv.