[ RadSafe ] Z-backscatter technology

[Brad Keck]

I had assumed that an X-ray device would be under FDA regulation and approval, but apparently in this case, backscatter technologies are not regulated, hence not approved…..


A related link:  

http://www.propublica.org/article/drive-by-scanning-officials-expand-use-and-dose-of-radiation-for-security-s






> On Oct 28, 2015, at 1:17 PM, Bradt, Clayton (HEALTH) <clayton.bradt at health.ny.gov> wrote:
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> John, thanks. I am familiar with these dose estimates and assume that they are accurate.  But the information I want is two-fold: 1) How is the technology able to both penetrate the scanned vehicle and produce a backscatter image of what is inside? (And apparently what is inside of who is inside!) , and 2) What is the legal basis for allowing cops to apply ionizing radiation to humans.  Whether or not there is a health risk from this specific technology - which apparently there isn't - the law provides no way to approve the practice.
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> 
> Clayton Bradt
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> Principal Radiophysicist
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> NYS Dept. of Health
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> ***********************************
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> Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2015 16:22:49 +0000
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> From: "Dixon, John E. (CDC/ONDIEH/NCEH)" <gyf7 at cdc.gov<mailto:gyf7 at cdc.gov>>
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> To: "The International Radiation Protection (Health Physics) Mailing
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>          List"   <radsafe at health.phys.iit.edu<mailto:radsafe at health.phys.iit.edu>>
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> Subject: Re: [ RadSafe ] Z-Backscatter technology
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> All,
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> Here is a good link to this device:
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> http://as-e.com/products-solutions/cargo-vehicle-inspection/mobile/product/zbv/
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> If you pull down the safety tab you will find this:
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> "Dose to Cargo: Less than 0.1 microSievert (?Sv) per scan (equivalent to 10 microRem (?rem)), 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."
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> 1 mrem maximum for a scan of a stowaway (aka- the cargo) isn't all bad. No health risk here...
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> Regards,
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> John Dixon
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