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21 November 2009

Answer to Question #4851 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

Category: Security Screening

The following question was answered by an expert in the appropriate field:

Q

I work at a job that makes us x ray all items that we have (food, water, clothing, keys) on a daily basis. There are no maintenance records or any calibration of these machines. Are any health risks associated with this type of daily use?

A

Thank you for your question. Your use of anything (e.g., clothing) that has gone through the scanner or your intake of anything (e.g., food, water) that has gone through the scanner is not associated with any health risks.

The items being scanned are exposed to a very low level of radiation that won't do anything to the clothing or food items and the items do not stay radioactive. Thus, there are no health risks from using or eating/drinking these items.

Kelly Classic
Certified Medical Health Physicist

Answer posted on 13 October 2005. The information and material posted on this Web site is intended as general reference information only. Specific facts and circumstances may alter the concepts and applications of materials and information described herein. The information provided is not a substitute for professional advice and should not be relied upon in the absence of such professional advice specific to whatever facts and circumstances are presented in any given situation. Answers are correct at the time they are posted on the Web site. Be advised that over time, some requirements could change, new data could be made available, or Internet links could change. For answers that have been posted for several months or longer, please check the current status of the posted information prior to using the responses for specific applications.
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