What is a common mistake that can cause light leaks in X-ray processing?

Exposure to bright light is indeed a common mistake that can lead to light leaks in X-ray processing. When X-ray film is exposed to bright light, especially before it is adequately processed, the film can become fogged or improperly developed. This fogging results in unwanted exposure on the film, presenting as light leaks once the film is developed.

In X-ray processing, maintaining dark conditions is crucial to ensure that the film remains sensitive only to the radiation it is designed to capture. Even brief exposure to bright light can degrade the quality of the film, leading to artifacts that can misrepresent diagnostic information.

Other factors such as improper fixing, incorrect film storage, and poor equipment maintenance can impact the overall quality of X-ray images, but exposure to bright light directly affects the initial integrity of the film before processing, which is why it stands out as a more immediate concern regarding light leaks.