residual radiation

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#1

Originally Posted By: dsutrina
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I was recently asked to inspect a commerical building that housed doctor’s offices. My client was concerned about radiation that may be in the structure from x-ray equipment that was prevoiusly used in the offices. I know the life of many radioactive agents can be thousands of years. Can it remain in the structure, if leakage occurred, and if so how can you test and is it a health hazzard?


Thanks Don

#2

Originally Posted By: psabados
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Hey Don


My thought on that would be to have your client get in contact with an industrial hygentist. Equipment needed to perform that type of screening is way out of the realm of a typical inspection. Others items to be concerned about would be the presence of lead and other types of contaminates.

Also the building might need to have a health certificate stating the unit is clear of all potential hazards, which would be mandated from the local government.

Paul

#3

Originally Posted By: cradan
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Sorry I didn’t catch the thread earlier, Don. Illinois requires every facility storing isotopes or using X-Ray equipment to register. If the occupants followed the letter-of-the-law, the facility will be registered with IDNS. I’d recommend contacting them directly to determine, as Paul suggested, what procedures may be necessary (or not) to Certify the building as safe for it’s expected use/purpose.


http://www.state.il.us/idns/

--
Chris
http://www.inspect4me.com
Chicago Illinois Home Inspections

#4

Originally Posted By: Frank Nihei
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If it was strictly x-ray equipment, it only emits radiation when powered on and stops when shut down. Much like a two-way radio or cellular phone. Okay - more like your microwave oven.


However, other diagnostic materials might sometimes be used in conjunction with x-rays to help detect or diagnose medical problems.

A radiation detector with a certified operator would probably be helpful if there's any doubt.

#5

Originally Posted By: Dave Gagneur
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X-Ray and Gamma (very similar to each other) radiation decay extremely quickly…virtually immediately. The only real hazard is to the technician who is routinley shooting x-rays on patients, that’s why they have to be part of a program monitoring their exposure. But again, once the x-ray is complete the hazard is gone. icon_biggrin.gif

#6

Originally Posted By: jnosworthy
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Unless there were leakage problems from the radioactive sources, they were contained in shielded devices. Usually every 6 months operators will have to submit wipes to a lab of the equipment housings looking for any leakage. Records of all that are kept with the equipment, and copied to the state, subject to audit. If the equipment is gone then so is the possible hazard, IMO

#7

Originally Posted By: Jay Moge
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being that this used to be a doctors office with mostly sick people visiting, i’d wonder about the posibilities of blood born pathogens, or other aillments still lingering. it’s realy hard to clean up biohazards 100% icon_cool.gif