The full story also reports that, “The average American’s total radiation exposure has nearly doubled in the last three decades, largely because of next-generation imaging tests, the FDA said.” (Emphasis added)

The Los Angeles Times

“A medical imaging trade group said Thursday that manufacturers of CT scanners would begin installing safety controls to prevent patients from receiving excessive radiation.

“The dosing checks, which will begin rolling out before the end of the year, will alert operators whenever the machine’s settings exceed recommended levels. Hospitals and clinics also will be able to set maximum dosing levels for their machines. (Emphasis added)

“The announcement from the Medical Imaging & Technology Alliance came two weeks after the Food and Drug Administration said it would begin cracking down on excessive radiation scanning. The changes will be implemented by the five makers of CT scanners: General Electric Co., Siemens, Toshiba Corp., Royal Philips Electronics and Hitachi.”

Source: Los Angeles Times, February 26, 2010