Safety considerations and recommendations for analytical x-ray devices from a review of survey data

Survey data on analytical x-ray devices were reviewed to provide an overview of safety problems. It was found that old equipment with one or more safety deficiencies is being used in many research laboratories and that predictions of long-term risks are difficult. Assessment of the problems against recently revised radiation risks in BEIR V (NAS 1990) and occupational dose equivalent limits in ICRP Publication 60 (1991), together with reasonable extrapolations and safety considerations, suggest that improvements in several areas are necessary in order to prevent or reduce potentially adverse health effects. Certain recommendations are, therefore, proposed: the annual occupational limit of 500 mSv to the hands and the skin as recommended by the ICRP (1991) should still apply; however, estimates of the bone dose should account for the differential absorption between bone and soft tissue at the low-energy photons encountered in analytical x-ray operations; general guidance to improve safety of old equipment and open-beam devices should be made available; user education and instruction need improvement on specific issues; and survey methods need revision and updating.