What is the term for generalized unwanted exposure on a radiographic image?

The term that describes generalized unwanted exposure on a radiographic image is referred to as fog. Fog typically results from various sources of radiation that inadvertently expose the film or digital detector, leading to a loss of contrast and detail in the final image. This can occur due to factors such as scatter radiation, high levels of ambient light, or old processing chemicals during film development. Consequently, fog diminishes the diagnostic quality of the image, making it difficult to interpret.

In radiography, understanding fog is crucial because it directly impacts image clarity and quality. Unlike noise, which refers to random fluctuations in an imaging signal, or artifacts, which are specific unwanted features that can obscure details, fog represents a uniform, pervasive exposure that degrades the overall image. Blur, on the other hand, is related to motion during image capture rather than exposure levels. Thus, recognizing and managing fog is essential for radiographers to obtain high-quality, interpretable images.