What type of radiation exposure is NOT included in the lifetime absorbed dose?

Microwave radiation is not included in the lifetime absorbed dose when discussing radiation exposure in a medical or diagnostic context. Lifetime absorbed dose typically refers to the cumulative dose of ionizing radiation received by an individual over their lifetime, which includes types of radiation such as X-rays, gamma radiation, and alpha radiation, all of which have sufficient energy to ionize atoms and can lead to biological effects.

Microwaves, in contrast, are a form of non-ionizing radiation. They operate at a lower energy level and do not have the ability to ionize atoms or molecules like ionizing radiation does. Therefore, microwave radiation does not contribute to the absorbed dose metrics typically used to assess long-term exposure and its potential health impacts. This distinction is crucial when evaluating the types of radiation considered in medical imaging and radiologic practices.