Chapter 21 Reproductive and Developmental Risks of Ionizing Radiation What are the Reproductive and Developmental Risks of Ionizing Radiation ?

Many pregnant women are concerned about the potential reproductive and developmental risks of radiation exposures. With the advent of the Internet, consulting has become more rapid and efficient. In 2008, the pregnancy website of the Health Physics Society (HPS), ATE (Ask the Expert), received approximately 2,400,000 hits. Over 700,000 prepared answers to questions were downloaded. Over 1,600 contacts were still anxious after reading the Website answers and requested a personal consultation. From this experience we have learned that many physicians and other counselors are not prepared to counsel patients concerning reproductive and developmental radiation risks. Approximately 8% of the contacts have provided inaccurate information that could have resulted in an unnecessary interruption of a wanted pregnancy.