[ RadSafe ] Z-Backscatter technology

Wed Oct 28 11:22:49 CDT 2015

All,
Here is a good link to this device: 

http://as-e.com/products-solutions/cargo-vehicle-inspection/mobile/product/zbv/

If you pull down the safety tab you will find this:

"Dose to Cargo: Less than 0.1 microSievert (μSv) per scan (equivalent to 10 microRem (μrem)), at an average speed of 5 km/h (3 mph) at a scan distance of 1.5 m (5 ft). Should a stowaway accidentally be scanned, the effective dose is well below the ANSI specified limit for accidental exposure and is equivalent to flying two minutes at altitude."

1 mrem maximum for a scan of a stowaway (aka- the cargo) isn't all bad. No health risk here...

Regards,
John Dixon

-----Original Message-----
From: radsafe-bounces at health.phys.iit.edu [mailto:radsafe-bounces at health.phys.iit.edu] On Behalf Of Brad Keck
Sent: Tuesday, October 27, 2015 11:02 AM
To: The International Radiation Protection (Health Physics) Mailing List <radsafe at health.phys.iit.edu>
Subject: Re: [ RadSafe ] Z-Backscatter technology

Clayton,

If i understand the Z-backscatter physics correctly, then the dark images of the lungs result from a lesser backscatter signal being generated in the lung cavity versus the thicker surrounding tissues.  

Unlike an airport scanner, which does not need to penetrate the side of a truck, the cargo scan uses a higher energy (and intensity, i would think)  x-ray source which penetrates humans more than the energies used in airport scans.  The detector array - basically the side panel of the truck - is then used to measure the intensity of the x-rays corresponding to those scattered by low-Z material so you build an image of the low-Z materials in the first few centimeters lying along the side of the truck, including humans, drugs, explosives, cantaloupes, etc….   Interestingly, both air and high-Z materials would give a “dark” image, where any organic or low-Z materials would give a “bright” image under the acquisition parameters used.

There are numerous dose estimates on the internet for the airport scanners, but I have not seen estimates for the cargo scans where a human might inadvertently be present.  

Hope this helps,

Brad

> On Oct 22, 2015, at 11:13 AM, Bradt, Clayton (HEALTH) <clayton.bradt at health.ny.gov> wrote:
> 
> 
> Does anyone know how I might get ahold of technical information on the Z-Backscatter technology as used for example by the AE&S vans mentioned in the above article? I am especially curious as to how the image of the contents of a vehicle is not obscured by backscatter off of the sides of the van and of the vehicle being scanned. Both the beam and scattered x-rays must pass through both vehicles on the way out and back. Also I'm curious about the density information presented in the images of people within a trailer. They appear to show the individuals lungs as dark regions within the thoracic cavities. I would not expect this from a backscatter image.
> 
> Clayton Bradt
> Principal Radiophysicist
> NYS Dept. of Health
> 518-474-1993
> 
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