An important fact sheet for health care professionals was released this week describing the stages, grades and symptoms of Cutaneous Radiation Injury, as well as patient management and treatment strategies. CRI is described as injury to the skin and underlying tissues from acute exposure to a large external dose of radiation. Acute radiation syndrome (ARS) will usually be accompanied by some skin damage; however, CRI can occur without symptoms of ARS. This is especially true with acute exposures to beta radiation or low-energy x-rays, because beta radiation and low-energy x-rays are less penetrating and less likely to damage internal organs than gamma radiation is. CRI can occur with radiation doses as low as 2 Gray (Gy) or 200 rads and the severity of CRI symptoms will increase with increasing doses. The report can be found at http://www.bt.cdc.gov/radiation/criphysicianfactsheet.asp