Exposures and their determinants in radiographic film processing

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Environmental Health
• Radiologic Technology

Background:

• Radiographers may develop or worsen asthma due to chemicals in X-ray film processing solutions.
• Glutaraldehyde, acetic acid, and sulfur dioxide are key chemicals of concern in traditional film processing.
• Existing occupational exposure limits (OELs) exist for these chemicals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To measure radiographers' personal exposure to specific chemicals used in X-ray film processing.
• To identify factors influencing exposure levels in different healthcare settings.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of control measures and inform future technology adoption.

Main Methods:

• Personal air sampling for glutaraldehyde, acetic acid, and sulfur dioxide in British Columbia.
• Comparison of exposure levels with established occupational exposure limits.
• Analysis of factors such as ventilation, equipment, workload, and facility type (hospital vs. clinic).

Main Results:

• Average full-shift exposures were significantly below current OELs (glutaraldehyde: 0.0009 mg/m3, acetic acid: 0.09 mg/m3, sulfur dioxide: 0.08 mg/m3).
• Local exhaust ventilation and silver recovery units reduced exposures; increased workload and time near processors increased them.
• Radiographers in private clinics generally had higher exposures than those in hospitals due to fewer control measures and higher processing volumes.

Conclusions:

• While current exposures are below OELs, minimizing chemical contact is crucial due to sensitizing properties and unknown health effects at low levels or from chemical mixtures.
• Digital imaging technologies offer a promising alternative to wet-processing, potentially eliminating chemical exposures.
• Continued efforts to reduce or eliminate radiographer exposure to processing chemicals are warranted, especially in settings with fewer implemented controls.