Radiation experts in New Delhi have called for rationalising the use of X-rays and gamma rays in medical procedures, official sources said on Monday.

"The decision was taken following the US department of Health and Human Services adding X-rays and gamma rays to the list of known human carcinogens," said Dr K S Parthasarthy, former secretary of Atomic Energy Regulatory Board.

In India, there is little awareness about the safety norms or even the need to adopt them, he says, adding an AERB survey has found that layout of many X-ray rooms were improper.

"The wall thickness of X-ray rooms was inadequate in many installations and the use of plywood which offers no precaution was common," he added.

"In several instances, X-ray beam was being inadvertently directed towards the waiting area of patients and crowding in X-ray rooms was a common practice," said Dr Parthasarthy.