[ RadSafe ] Regulatory clearance for body scanners using back scattered x-rays

[parthasarathy k s]

Dear Mr Dawson,

You may recall that currently various companies are manufacturing body scanners using back scattered x-rays. These are being used at airports. US FDA has cleared the equipment.

What is the current status in UK? I understand that there was some controversy in clearing it as the device is for use on a mass scale. The prevailing threat perception about terrorist activities may encourage the use of this equipment in shopping malls, cinema theatres, railway stations etc.

 I recollect that there was some discussion on the justification in using this practice. Is it true that, as  some specialists  had reservations, the UK Government (the responsible Secretary) used  discretionary powers under the regulations to get the equipment cleared?

I have seen the advice in the Health Physics Society web site reassuring that the individual dose is extremely small and using collective dose  concept in that context is meaningless etc.(One of the manufacturers use that advice in their website while promoting the product!)

I shall appreciate receiving from you or any from the lists the following information

Was there a formal analysis to justify the use of this product? Is there any report?

Regards



K.S.Parthasarathy
Ph.D


(formerly,
Secretary, Atomic Energy Regulatory Board)




Raja
Ramanna Fellow


Strategic
Planning Group,

Board of Research in Nuclear Sciences


Department
of Atomic Energy


Room
No 18


Ground
Floor, North Wing


Vikram
Sarabhai Bhavan


Mumbai
400094


E-mail
ksparth at yahoo.co.uk


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