What is "darkroom fog" and its cause in radiographic film?

Darkroom fog refers to the unwanted exposure of radiographic film to light or processing chemicals, resulting in a uniformly gray image on the film. This phenomenon occurs when the film is inadvertently exposed to ambient light during handling, or when it comes into contact with chemicals that can cause a reaction prior to developing.

The reason this answer is correct is that such exposure alters the film's ability to accurately represent the latent image created during the x-ray exposure process. Instead of producing a clear image of the anatomy being imaged, the fogging introduces a base density that uniformly obscures the detail, making interpretation of the film difficult or impossible.

Understanding the causes of darkroom fog is vital for maintaining the quality of radiographic images, as it emphasizes the importance of proper darkroom protocols, ensuring that films are handled in total darkness and that processing chemicals are used correctly to avoid contamination.