X-rays

[Franz Schoenhofer <schoenho@via.at>]

Dear all,

I missed the start of this thread, but learnt that there were discussions
about drugs.

In Austria it is according to our radiation protection law forbidden to use
ionizing radiation on humans for other than medical purposes. But according
to the law against distribution of drugs it is allowed to subject suspects
for drug smuggling to x-ray examination. 

We had a case a few years ago, when health insurances took x-rays of
patients teeth to verify whether their teeth had been treated according to
dentists reports. This was stopped immediately.

I cannot believe that there is no clear regulation in the USA or other
countries. A clear regulation should be carefully distinguised from what
fellow RADSAFERs regard desirable to put into legislation. If it is clearly
forbidden by law arguments like "a small dose only", "net benefit" etc. are
not valid, but I think it is open to everybody to ask legislators for
changes in legislation.  

Franz


Franz Schoenhofer
Habicherg. 31/7
A-1160 Vienna
Austria
Tel.: +43-1-495 53 08
Fax.: same number
mobile phone: +43-664-338 0 333
e-mail: schoenho@via.at

Office:
Federal Institute for Food Control and Research
Department of Radiochemistry
Kinderspitalg. 15
A-1095 Vienna
Austria
Tel.: +43-1-40 491 520
Fax.: +43-1-40 491 540
e-mail: schoenhofer@baluf.via.at
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