Re: electrons from medical x-ray equipment

[mozley@darius.pet.upenn.edu (P. David Mozley, M.D.)]

Collimation is not so common any more.  There was a brief time when it was.

>To: RADSAFE --INTERNET RADSAFE@ROMULUS.EH AHGOOD  --BCSC02   Alan Good
>    FRANSELM--BCSC02   Francine Anselmo
>
>
>I just can across an article that discusses the use of collimation in medical
>x-ray. It says "It must be noted that numerous electrons are produced be the
>interaction of photons with the collimator. In order to prevent these
>electrons from reaching the patient the collimator position should be at least
>15 cm above the patient's skin. If the photon beam contains a large number of
>electrons, the energy absorbed by the skin is greatly increased and may result
>in severe skin reactions."
>
>I have not heard that this is as significant a situation as the author
>above describes.  Does anyone know more about this?      (Thanks in advance,
>as they say) - Randy
>
>Radiation Protection, Ministry of Health, British Columbia
>The opinions and material above are solely those of the author.
>This is a disclaimer for postings to bulletin boards, newsgroups
>etc., on the internet.  Randy Ross, rnross@bcsc02.gov.bc.ca