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RE: X-Rays at Podiatrist Office
While the risk is low, the practice described is not good health physics and in most states would be contrary to their regulations. Most states would require operators to stand at least 6 feet away or behind an appropriate shield. The apron is likely not required by regulation since the primary beam is not in the gonadal region, however some states recommend their use in both podiatry and dentistry. Shielding is another issue dependent on the particular state regulations. If the primary beam is directed towards an interior occupied area, I believe most states would require some shielding in that wall.
This machine would be regulated by the state government, if you have concerns I would contact them. links to various state programs can be found at www.CRCPD.org or at our web site below
Don
Donald E. Parry, CHP
Health Physicist
Radiation Safety Section
Michigan Department of Community Health
Phone : 517-241-1989 Fax: 517-241-1981
mailto:dparry@michigan.gov
Web Site: www.michigan.gov/rss
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-radsafe@list.vanderbilt.edu
[mailto:owner-radsafe@list.vanderbilt.edu]On Behalf Of John Jacobus
Sent: Tuesday, March 09, 2004 1:54 PM
To: radsafe@list.vanderbilt.edu; sloanpb@BELLSOUTH.NET
Subject: Re: X-Rays at Podiatrist Office
I would suggest that you submit this question to the
Health Physics Society's "Ask the Expert" Web site at
http://hps.org/publicinformation/asktheexperts.cfm
The short answer is that there is little if any risk,
but I think you would like a more than that.
--- iradi8 <sloanpb@BELLSOUTH.NET> wrote:
> I recently had a series of foot x-rays done in a
> podiatrist's office. The person doing the x-rays was
> training a brand new assisstant. Neither seemed to
> have any knowledge whatsoever about what they were
> doing. I was not asked if I was pregnant -- I am a
> woman of childbearing age. I was not offered an
> apron which they do at the dentist (not that I feel
> that I really needed it). They stood right next to
> the head of the x-ray machine while taking all three
> films. Actually, the head of the machine was within
> 6 inches of her pelvis. The new assisstant was told
> that they could stay in the room for all x-rays --
> that the dose is so low that it is safe. That is
> what the "x-ray guy who works on the machine" said.
> I was taken aback by all of this! Could someone
> please enlighten me as to whether this is okay? I am
> sure it is not! Also, the machine is not in an
> enclosed room -- the restroom door is within 6 feet
> of it and an exam room on the other side of the
> wall. Shouldn't there be shielding -- I wonder if
> there is?
>
> Thanks so much.
=====
+++++++++++++++++++
""A fanatic is one who cannot change his mind and won't change the subject." Winston Churchill
-- John
John Jacobus, MS
Certified Health Physicist
e-mail: crispy_bird@yahoo.com
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