Year: 2026 | Month: July | Volume: 13 | Issue: 7 | Pages: 18-24
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijrr.20260703
Analysis of Half-Value Layer (HVL) and Entrance Skin Dose (ESD) in Chest Radiography as Indicators of Potential Health Risks Due to Radiation Exposure Relevant to Life Insurance Assessment
Fuad Hasan Basri1, Heri Sutanto2, Eko Hidayanto2
1Student, Magister of Physics, Physics Department, Diponegoro University, Tembalang, Semarang, Indonesia
2Professor, Physics Department, Diponegoro University, Tembalang, Semarang, Indonesia
Corresponding Author: Fuad Hasan Basri.
ABSTRACT
Half-Value Layer (HVL) and Entrance Skin Dose (ESD) are key physical parameters used to characterize X-ray beam quality and radiation dose delivered to patients in diagnostic radiology. This study presents a detailed experimental investigation of the relationship between HVL and ESD in diagnostic chest radiography using a standard anthropomorphic phantom. Measurements were performed under clinically relevant exposure conditions with varying tube voltages while maintaining a fixed source-to-image distance. HVL was determined using incremental aluminum filtration, and ESD was measured at the beam entrance surface using calibrated dosimeters. The results demonstrate a systematic increase in HVL with increasing tube voltage, accompanied by a corresponding decrease in ESD. These findings confirm the effectiveness of beam hardening in reducing surface dose and highlight the importance of beam quality optimization in diagnostic radiology. The phantom-based methodology provides reproducible dosimetric data that are valuable for quality assurance, radiation protection, and applied radiation physics research. These findings support beam quality optimization strategies aimed at reducing cumulative radiation exposure and long-term stochastic risk.
Keywords: X-ray beam quality, Beam hardening, Surface dose, Radiation risk
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