precautions while using x rays

The ability to access generators for direct measurements is changing. These best in class X ray testing tools are capable of both invasive and non invasive mA measurements to ensure your systems are covered now and in the future. X ray photons carry enough energy to ionize atoms and disrupt molecular bonds. This makes it a type of ionizing radiation, and therefore harmful to living tissue. A very high radiation dose over a short amount of time causes radiation sickness, while lower doses can give an increased risk of radiation induced cancer.

X rays produced by diffraction machines are readily absorbed in the first millimetres of tissue, and therefore do not contribute any dose to the internal organs of the body. However, the lens of the eye can receive a significant dose from X rays of this energy. Overexposure of lens tissue can lead to the development of lens opacities and cataracts.

X rays used for medical purposes are about one order of magnitude shorter in wavelength. Diagnostic rays are designated for tissue penetration and are carefully filtered to avoid X ray damage to the skin caused by the longer, more readily absorbed wavelengths.

There must be a visual indication located on or near the tube head to indicate when X rays are being produced. This is usually an assembly consisting of two red bulbs, wired in parallel and labelled X RAYS ON. If one of the bulbs is burned out, the operator should either replace it before leaving the room, or leave a note on the light assembly indicating that the bulb is burned out. An unlit warning bulb does not necessarily mean that X rays are not produced. Never trust a bulb, unless it is illuminated ON! Always check the control panel when the bulb is off.

Interlock switches are used to prevent inadvertent access to the beam. They should not be bypassed. Interlocks should be checked periodically to insure that they are functioning properly. Interlocks and other safety devices, including warning systems, are not foolproof or fail safe. A safety device should be used as a back up to minimise the risk of radiation exposure never as a substitute for proper procedures and good judgement.

Users of X ray producing devices on U of T campuses (or in areas that are controlled by U of T) must register their instrument with the University RPS. Registration is necessary for the reporting requirements of the Ontario Ministry of Labour (MOL) and Ministry of Health.

As the radiation penetrates the body, it is absorbed in varying amounts by different body tissues. Bones absorb maximum X ray radiation while lung tissue absorbs very little, allowing most of the X ray beam to pass through the lung. Thus when one does the Chest X ray the lungs appear black and bone appear white in color.

A chest X ray is most commonly done X ray. It helps to detect abnormalities in the lungs, but can also detect abnormalities in the heart, aorta, and the bones of the chest. It can pick up pneumonia, fluid in the lungs, cysts, infections, fractures and heart enlargement commonly. Other X rays done commonly are the X ray of the spine to spinal problems, X rays of the limbs for fractures and X ray of the teeth. Any part of the body can be X rayed depending on what the doctor is suspecting.

Jewelry, any metallic pin, button is removed from the field of X ray to avoid interference and improve accuracy of the interpretation. Patients are asked to take a deep breath and hold it during the chest X ray in order to inflate the lungs to their maximum to increase the visibility of different tissues. X rays can be taken from front to back. The chest X ray procedure often involves a view from the back to the front of the body (PA view) as well as a side view (lateral view). Other X rays are taken from front to back of the body (AP view). Occasionally, different angles are considered to interpret certain specific areas.

X rays expose the patient to a minimum amount of radiation. We are exposed to radiation from natural sources all the time. The average person in the U.S. receives an effective dose of about 3 mSv per year from naturally occurring radioactive materials and cosmic radiation from outer space. These natural background doses vary throughout the country. The radiation exposure from one chest x ray as equivalent to the amount of radiation exposure one experiences from our natural surroundings in 10 days. Thus X rays are quite safe when used with care. However X rays should be avoided during pregnancy to avoid radiation to the fetus.