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Posted By Kenneth Patrick
About ten years ago we stopped giving annual X Rays. Our Occupational health doctor had no other use for his equipment so left it with us. We now want to demolish the office block and hence clear everything out including the X Ray machine.
Any comments or advice? Would anyone want it? Are there are any special problems with disposal?
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Posted By Bob Youel
Remember the machine; when new; was not in itself likely to be radioactive as it was the process by which the machine worked that caused the radioactive wave to be generated unlike other sources. However it may have become so over the years
Take advice from a specialist waste remover; the HSE, NRPB [as they were - can somebody provide the new name? TA!], a Radiation Protection Adviser [Risley [atomic energy Warrington] have a number present], Nuclear Electric or a supplier of new x-Ray machines as to the likely contamination
Irrespective or the radioactive content there is hazardous waste present in the form of other substances and WEEE applies
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Posted By Smurfer
Interesting last comment, Bob. Not having any 'inside' knowledge of these things I would have automatically assumed there must be a radioactive source within the machine which could be removed to make the machine safe for disposal/transport. Can you tell us (or provide a link) how this works then?
(not being funny, just interested)
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Posted By Dave Merchant
It's POSSIBLE that x-ray equipment has an isotope source but unlikely. Medical x-ray equipment for use in a fixed installation tends to use accelerator emission from a tube (so there's no radiation of any form unless it's powered up), however this needs a lot of electrical power, so portable units based on an isotope source such as Cs were also developed (they're seen more often in the developing world and for industrial inspections). They're not as simple to use and control, hence aren't used nearly as much these days. In theory if the equipment uses an isotope source there will be the IONISING radiation warning symbol displayed upon it (the three-sided fan). If it's a tube-based device the warning signs will be only mention non-ionising radiation (although a pictogram for this isn't likely on older equipment as it's relatively new).
Aside from the (unlikely) radiation risk there's a far more important issue with chemicals - tube-based devices have to generate enormous voltages and so often have oil-filled transformers - in older equipment this is very likely to be based on PCBs.
There are specialist companies that will handle X-ray equipment disposal (google for them..) mostly because of the hassle of the PCBs, but also because there's money in it - spare parts are in high demand by countries still using the old equipment. You certainly can't just hoof it into landfill.
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Posted By Chris G
Replying to the previous response. Electricaly generated x-rays are still ionising radiations so don't look for a lack of trefoil & / or ionising radiations warnings to indicate a lack of isotopes.
Ususaly access plates to sources will indicate source type, where as cover plates on x-ray acelerator tubes usually give Kv & mA limits on & target material eg Cu or W.
Note: Many x-ray tubes use berylium windows making them a difficult waste for disposal. I've found that one of the major suppliers (Phillips as it used to be called) will take their old tubes back as it is cost effective to recycle the berylium.
Finally, while oil cooled generators may be present on some very elderly systems, medical x-ray machines are generally low powered & don't require such heavy duty cooling.
Chris G
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Posted By Jenny Pavey
Hi,
I read with interest your comments on disposing of redundant x ray machines. My employer has an A Dean and Co Tubeline machine, 25+ years old that he no longer needs. He wishes to dispose of it at the lowest possible cost. He has suggested that we leave the transformer and controls in situ, he appreciates the former contains hazardous material. But wishes to know if part of the machine that the patients stood by, steel column and arm can be removed by non specialists. Would this part contain any hazardous material? I do not want the business to do anything wrong and put people at risk. Any advise would be welcome. There appears to be no specialist companies in the SW. Thanks, Jenny
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Posted By Garry Homer
The Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999 (IRR99) define the matters over which a Radiation Protection Adviser (RPA) must be consulted. The HPA offer this service
The service also includes other relevant legislation, ie,
The Radioactive Substances Act 1993.
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.
The Radioactive Material (Road Transport) Regulations 2002.
There is also a special register for the disposal of x-ray machines that is either at the HPA or the HSE.
Garry
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