Answer to Question #13155 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"
Category: Medical and Dental Equipment/Shielding — Shielding
The following question was answered by an expert in the appropriate field:
I work in a chiropractor's office. My office is in the basement, directly underneath the x-ray room. I have asked my office manager and they do not have any lead plates in the floor. Am I at risk for radiation when they take x rays?
This question addresses some issues that I frequently get asked from members of the public regarding x-ray shielding. You are correct that lead is commonly used in x-ray shielding, particularly in walls and doors because a very thin amount of lead is all that is needed for adequate x-ray shielding. But lead is not the only shielding material that is commonly used in x-ray rooms. Concrete is also an effective shield, but it typically takes a few inches depending upon the amount of x-ray use within the room. If your facility has concrete within the floors (under the tile/carpet), it is quite likely that they had more than enough concrete shielding prior to installing the x-ray unit. Thus, there should not be x-ray exposure in your office below the room.
What should have occurred and what most states require is that the facility have the shielding needs evaluated by a qualified expert (health physicist or medical physicist) prior to installation of the x-ray unit. That would typically be by an outside consultant or sometimes is provided through an x-ray equipment vendor's consultant physicist. There should be a copy of the shielding evaluation on file at the facility. If your management does not know if a shielding evaluation was done, they could contact the individual who performs their annual x-ray audit/equipment performance evaluations as they may have been involved in that shielding-needs assessment or may know who to contact who can perform such an evaluation.
I hope this helps you and alleviates some of your concerns. If the floor above is constructed of concrete, you most likely do not have an issue with radiation exposure in the office area below. But that shielding evaluation by a qualified expert would provide the definitive answers you seek.
Jeff Brunette, CHP