X-ray Scanning For Theft Detection

[Douglas.Minnema@dp.doe.gov]

    With regards to this subject, the reference is somewhat dated, 
    but:
    
    "The [ICRP] Commission has been asked for its views on an 
    international proposal to use radiography as part of a system for 
    the security-screening of airline passengers.  This envisages that 
    a small proportion of passengers might be examined 
    radiographically, using 'specially developed techniques' 
    [italicized in the original text] that would restrict the exposure 
    to 1 milliroentgen or less in any part of the body, to be used 
    only when other methods have indicated the presence of unexplained 
    objects on the passenger.  Such passengers would be given the 
    choice between an X-ray examination and a body search.  The 
    Commission has already recommended that the irradiation of persons 
    for non-medical purposes, such as in anti-crime and customs 
    examinations, is generally to be deprecated.  However, in view of 
    the grave risks involved in the seizure of aircraft, the 
    Commission believes that the proposal, if performed under the 
    conditions already specified, could be justified in the light of 
    the benefits that might be expected."  HPS Journal, Vol. 21, p. 
    616, 1971.
    
    This reference indicates that the Commission had already 
    considered anti-crime activities, but it gives no reference.  
    Somebody may be able to point us towards it, or an update of 
    either of these statements.
    
    The only question that I would still have is whether the 
    Commission's decisions depend upon who the receptor is - a member 
    of the public, or an employee.  One could argue that for an 
    employee, the irradiation is a condition of employment, and 
    therefore is elective, similar to other radiological workers.  I 
    don't propose this as a resolution of the issue, but only to pose 
    the question.
    
    Doug Minnema, CHP
    Defense Programs
    US Department of Energy
    <Douglas.Minnema@dp.doe.gov>
    
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Subject: X-ray Scanning For Theft Detection
Author:  radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu_at_internet at x400PO 
Date:    9/22/97 7:16 AM
    
    
I am very interested in the Health Physics Community comments re the 
routine scanning of persons for diamond theft detection (administering a 
free air dose at the skin surface position of around 15 =B5Gy /scan at 30= 
0
scans per year).  The ethics of this practice may be of prime importance.
    
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