Please enjoy our X-Ray Safety Presentation by Peter Wright, CEO of Alternate Systems. For the full presentation & certification process please call us at 972.964.3124.

1. X-Ray Radiation Safety
Presented by Peter Wright

2. Training & Certification Available
• To receive the full presentation and certification at your
workplace please call Alternate Systems at 972.964.3124 or
email us at pwwright@alternatesystems.com

3. Overview

4. Overview
• Types of Radiation

5. Overview
• Types of Radiation
• How X-Rays are generated

6. Overview
• Types of Radiation
• How X-Rays are generated
• Potential Health Effects

7. Overview
• Types of Radiation
• How X-Rays are generated
• Potential Health Effects
• ALARA:
As Low As Reasonably Achievable

8. Radiation Regulations

9. Radiation Regulations
• 10CFR 20: Title 10 (Energy), Code of Federal
Regulations, Part 20 addresses general standards for
radiation protection

10. Radiation Regulations
• 10CFR 20: Title 10 (Energy), Code of Federal
Regulations, Part 20 addresses general standards for
radiation protection
• Texas AdministrativeCode §289.228 addresses safety
requirements for analytical and other industrial radiation
machines

11. Model of the Atom
Bohr Model of the Atom:
Protons are positively charged,
neutrons have no charge, and
electrons are negatively charged.

12. X-Ray Production

13. X-Ray Production
X-rays are
generated when
electrons move
to lower
energy levels

14. X-Ray Tube

15. Radiation

16. Radiation
• Radiationis energy transmitted through space in the form
of electromagnetic waves or energetic particles:

17. Background Radiation

18. Background Radiation
• We are all exposed to ionizing radiation from natural
sources:

19. Background Radiation
• We are all exposed to ionizing radiation from natural
sources:
• Radioactive substances in the earth

20. Background Radiation
• We are all exposed to ionizing radiation from natural
sources:
• Radioactive substances in the earth
• Radioactive gas from the earth

21. Background Radiation
• We are all exposed to ionizing radiation from natural
sources:
• Radioactive substances in the earth
• Radioactive gas from the earth
• Cosmic rays from outer space

22. Background Radiation
• We are all exposed to ionizing radiation from natural
sources:
• Radioactive substances in the earth
• Radioactive gas from the earth
• Cosmic rays from outer space
• Trace amounts of radioactivity in the body

23. Mechanisms of Damage

24. Mechanisms of Damage
• Injury
to living tissue results from transfer of energy to
atoms and molecules in the cellular structure:

25. Mechanisms of Damage
• Injury
to living tissue results from transfer of energy to
atoms and molecules in the cellular structure:
• Produce free radicals

26. Mechanisms of Damage
• Injury
to living tissue results from transfer of energy to
atoms and molecules in the cellular structure:
• Produce free radicals
• Break chemical bonds

27. Mechanisms of Damage
• Injury
to living tissue results from transfer of energy to
atoms and molecules in the cellular structure:
• Produce free radicals
• Break chemical bonds
• Produce new chemical bonds and cross-linkage

28. Mechanisms of Damage
• Injury
to living tissue results from transfer of energy to
atoms and molecules in the cellular structure:
• Produce free radicals
• Break chemical bonds
• Produce new chemical bonds and cross-linkage
• Damage molecules that regulate vital
cell processes, i.e., DNA, RNA, proteins

29. Mechanisms of Damage

30. Prompt Effects of Radiation

31. Prompt Effects of Radiation

32. Prompt Effects of Radiation
EFFECT DOSE
Blood Count Changes 50 rem
Vomiting (threshold) 100 rem
Mortality (threshold) 150 rem
LD 50/60 (minimal care) 320-360 rem
LD 50/60 (support care) 480-540 rem
100% Mortality(best care) 800 rem

33. Delayed Effects of Radiation

34. Delayed Effects of Radiation
• Cataracts
are induced when a dose exceeding
approximately 200-300 rem is delivered to the lens of the
eye and may take months or years to appear

35. Delayed Effects of Radiation
• Cataracts
are induced when a dose exceeding
approximately 200-300 rem is delivered to the lens of the
eye and may take months or years to appear
• Cancer can be induced with radiation dose:

36. Delayed Effects of Radiation
• Cataracts
are induced when a dose exceeding
approximately 200-300 rem is delivered to the lens of the
eye and may take months or years to appear
• Cancer can be induced with radiation dose:
• Leukemia

37. Delayed Effects of Radiation
• Cataracts
are induced when a dose exceeding
approximately 200-300 rem is delivered to the lens of the
eye and may take months or years to appear
• Cancer can be induced with radiation dose:
• Leukemia
• Multiple Myeloma

38. Delayed Effects of Radiation
• Cataracts
are induced when a dose exceeding
approximately 200-300 rem is delivered to the lens of the
eye and may take months or years to appear
• Cancer can be induced with radiation dose:
• Leukemia
• Multiple Myeloma
• Breast, Lung, and Skin Cancer

39. Genetic Effects

40. Genetic Effects
• There is no direct evidence of radiation-induced
genetic effects in humans, even at high doses

41. Minimal Threat Devices

42. Minimal Threat Devices
• Radiation is contained inside the device

43. Minimal Threat Devices
• Radiation is contained inside the device
• Safety devices are employed to prevent exposure

44. Minimal Threat Devices
• Radiation is contained inside the device
• Safety devices are employed to prevent exposure
• Radiation at the device is the same as background radiation

45. Minimal Threat Devices
• Radiation is contained inside the device
• Safety devices are employed to prevent exposure
• Radiation at the device is the same as background radiation
• Safety checks are made regularly

46. ALARA

47. ALARA
• As Low As Reasonably Achievable

48. ALARA
• As Low As Reasonably Achievable
• If
any radiation levels above background radiation are
observed, appropriate steps are taken to reduce radiation

49. Summary

50. Summary
• Radiation is regulated because of health hazards

51. Summary
• Radiation is regulated because of health hazards
• X-rays are a form of energy like light, only invisible

52. Summary
• Radiation is regulated because of health hazards
• X-rays are a form of energy like light, only invisible
• X-rays
are generated when electrons change energy levels in
an atom

53. Summary
• Radiation is regulated because of health hazards
• X-rays are a form of energy like light, only invisible
• X-rays
are generated when electrons change energy levels in
an atom
• Health hazards include burns and cancer

54. Finally

55. Finally
• Protect yourself:

56. Finally
• Protect yourself:
• Observe unit for functioning safety features

57. Finally
• Protect yourself:
• Observe unit for functioning safety features
• Notifythe RSO of any changes in operating
characteristics or damage

58. Finally
• Protect yourself:
• Observe unit for functioning safety features
• Notifythe RSO of any changes in operating
characteristics or damage
• Insure that only authorized users operate the device

59. Finally
• Protect yourself:
• Observe unit for functioning safety features
• Notifythe RSO of any changes in operating
characteristics or damage
• Insure that only authorized users operate the device
• Insure
that you and those around you are protected
from exposure

60. Finally
• Protect yourself:
• Observe unit for functioning safety features
• Notifythe RSO of any changes in operating
characteristics or damage
• Insure that only authorized users operate the device
• Insure
that you and those around you are protected
from exposure
• Be Aware!

61. Thank you
Peter W. Wright
Alternate Systems
972.964.3124
pwwright@alternatesystems.com
Texas Bureau of Radiation Control
Registration R17795
ANSI/NCSL Z540 / ISO 10012
ISO/IEC 17025:2005 / ISO 9001:2008