Radiology Forums

palatinevelum · Joined: 23 May 2008 Posts: 8

I am a recent graduate and started working at a doctors office. I was wondering (and are pretty sure), is it a law that there are to be some sort of radiation monitoring devices for anyone operating x-ray equipment? Even if there isn't I brought it up to my boss and am waiting to hear back, because either way, I want to be sure I am not getting any kind of exposure. Thanks!

CigarPete · Power User Joined: 21 May 2007 Posts: 89

Several things.. First.. the film badge won't stop you from getting any kind of exposure...

http://209.85.215.104/search?q=cache:OMgH1G-TrNsJ:rpop.iaea.org/RPoP/RPoP/Content/Documents/TrainingRadiology/Lectures/RPDIR-L13.2_Occup_radioprot_WEB.ppt+radiology+worker+monitoring&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=3&gl=us

From the International Atomic Energy Administration... as for any law tho you need to contact your State.. I am sure they have such a law

palatinevelum · Joined: 23 May 2008 Posts: 8

I know its not going to keep me from getting exposed... I am a young female and I want to be sure I stay below the recommended limits

hjhogle · Moderator Joined: 23 May 2006 Posts: 609 Location: CT

You will definitely want to take a look at Federal Regulations -

NRC Regulations (10 CFR) 34.47 Personnel monitoring

The Code of Fed Regs states that no person may act as a radiographer or radiographer's assistant "unless, at all times during radiographic operations, each individual wears, on the trunk of the body, a direct reading dosimeter, an operating alarm ratemeter, and a personnel dosimeter that is processed and evaluated by an accredited National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP) processor."

Additionally, they offer exceptions to these rules (if there are audible sensors in the room) and they mandate how often the montioring device must be read.

Hope this helps.
hjh, RT

tomas · Joined: 03 Jul 2008 Posts: 10

I simply cannot believe that people are operating radiation producing equipment with no knowledge of the proper monitoring equipment. Are they overexposing themselves, the patient? Could you even determine the relevance of your dose if you had it on a report in front of you? You should not be a radiation worker in any sector!