Common Things That Aren't Actually Carcinogens

X-Rays

Because imaging tests utilize ionizing radiation to take a picture of a patient's bones or organs, many believe they cause cancer. While radiation is, most definitely, a carcinogen, x-rays themselves, as used in imaging tests, do not necessarily cause cancer. Radiation exists naturally in the world every day. In fact, individuals interact with radiation daily. However, because it is at low doses, it doesn't harm individuals in the same way an atomic bomb would. In that case, the radiation levels are intense. X-rays and naturally occurring radiation have a smaller amount of radiation used during a small interval. As such, the amount patients receive during an x-ray is not enough to develop cancer. However, the more individuals require an imaging test at a given time, the likelier their chances are of developing cancer. Again, this is because of consistent exposure to high amounts of radiation in an interval.

Uncover more common things many individuals thought were carcinogens, but aren't, now.