Answer to Question #5649 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

About three months ago I began a part-time job as an administrative assistant for a chiropractor. He runs a small business out of his home office and has an x-ray machine to aid in diagnosing his patients.

My desk is approximately 15 feet from the x-ray device. The only thing between me and the device is a Sheetrock™ wall.

Since I began there, we have not at all discussed the danger, if any, of continued exposure to the machine. It looks older and I have become concerned after researching continued exposure to x rays. I am a 30-year-old female and wish to have children someday soon. In the three months I have worked there, I estimate that I have been exposed to approximately 50 x rays. How concerned should I be?

Are practitioners who use these machines required to have them tested periodically, or not use the extremely older ones that may be more dangerous? Should I have been given a device to measure my exposure when I began there? Can I personally get a device from an independent lab and have it measured myself? What advice do you have for me? I enjoy my job but I certainly am willing to move on if this is a big problem.

Generally speaking, diagnostic x-ray machines are installed according to recognized national standards by qualified individuals. When this is done, one can be assured that incidental exposures are controlled to levels well below acceptable levels of exposure for members of the general public. 

Probably there is nothing to worry about. Often thin layers of leaded wallboard are indistinguishable from standard wallboard. Further, some applications really do not require room shielding, particularly if there is adequate distance between the machine and the nearest work area or if the machine is not very heavy duty. 

When the device is being used, workers operating the machine should have dosimetry to measure the radiation dose they receive. Often, people will install environmental dosimeters to measure the exposure in different areas of a facility to verify that operation of the device meets the expectations of national standards and applicable laws. The use of environmental dosimetry is particularly common after initial installation. However, if installation of this device was rather ad hoc, then the installation should be reviewed by a qualified expert, perhaps sooner than later. 

Diagnostic x-ray devices are in almost all cases regulated by state radiation control agencies. The exceptions to this would be in federal facilities or on reservations. It is recommended that you discuss this issue with your employer soon. If installation of the device has not been done correctly, then corrective measures should be undertaken soon. If your employer refuses to consider the issue, then you should feel free to contact the state (or federal) regulatory authority without any fear of repercussions from your employer as most states have laws in place to protect whistle-blowers.

It is uncommon in the United States to encounter radiation-producing machines that are being used without appropriate regard for worker health and safety. However, this is not beyond the realm of possibility. Generally, one anticipates constructive efforts from employers to alleviate the concern of workers on such issues. States have regulatory authority over these machines in most cases and employees are protected in almost all states by whistle-blower statutes. I hope your concerns are unfounded, but it is entirely appropriate to ask your boss about the device and push your questions to your state authority if they are not resolved by your employer.

Richard R. Brey, PhD, CHP