Answer to Question #14394 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

I recently went for a body check and was asked to change my clothes by a nurse in a room where I could see an x-ray machine and some other medical equipment inside the room.

1. Would I be exposed to any x-ray radiation since I could not tell if the x-ray machine was in operation or not while I was in the room.
2. There was a small medical equipment placed at about 1 m from the x-ray machine and there was lubricating oil or some form of oil stains on the equipment. Would I be exposed to any danger if my clothes touched the stains and I later ingested it accidentally? My concern is that if the x-ray machine has been operating for years, would the x ray induce toxic substance of nearby objects?

In response individually:

1. X-ray units are typically powered on during an entire workday, however, they only produce radiation (x rays) when they are energized by the x-ray technologist or physician to take images of a patient. For units that produce individual radiographic images of body parts the x-ray "on" time is usually well less than one second. Computerized tomography (CT) scanners typically operate for well less than one minute while fluoroscopy units used for dynamic imaging typically operate for minutes. X-ray units do not produce any x-ray radiation at other times, so you were likely not exposed to any x rays while you were changing clothes.
2. X-Ray units do not induce other objects or materials to emit radiation. X rays are only produced when the operator makes an exposure and once the exposure switch is released, there is no longer any radiation in the area. Being near or touching another piece of equipment in the room would not put you at any risk from radiation exposure.

Kennith "Duke" Lovins, CHP