Re: X-rays or Strip Search? -Reply -Reply

["Busby, Bruce" <bab1303@doh.wa.gov>]

Hi all,

Joel  Baumbaumgh's questions to the manufacturer of the x-ray back 
scatter devices produced this response: 

-The SECURE 1000 operates at 50 keV and 5 ma.  The scan last for 2.7 
seconds, but since the system uses a "flying spot" technique, each 
individual point on the body is exposed to the x-ray beam for only about 
80 microseconds.  This results in a skin dose to the person (at about 32 
inches from the focal spot) of 3-5 microRem.  Under established safety 
standards, this dose is "completely negligible" and "does not need to be 
considered for purposes of radiation protection." All of the setting are 
fixed- there are no parameters that can be changed in the field.  The 
SECURE 1000 is currently being used in about 25 sites in the US, and 
another 10 overseas.-

----------------
It also seems that anyone undergoing nuclear medicine treatment, either 
diagnostic or therapy, may "mess" up the detector's response, so the 
device can not be used on them.  (Second hand knowledge of that though... 
)



--------------------------------------------------------------
Bruce A. Busby    -     Radiation Health Physicist
W- bab1303@doh.wa.gov      H-babusby@aol.com
Rad Prot. Div. - Dept. of Health - Washington State
7171 Cleanwater Lane, Bldg. 5   Olympia, WA  98504

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