Canadian and International Requirements for Security Scanners using Ionizing Radiation

Technology is rapidly outpacing the creation of regulations in the area of security scanners utilizing ionizing radiation. There are various types of scanners that utilize ionizing radiation, including systems designed specifically for screening of humans and systems designed for screening of vehicles or cargo containers which may contain humans (the driver or a stowaway).

There are two main security imaging technologies that use ionizing radiation, including backscatter and transmission scanners. Backscatter technology is used mainly to image objects hidden under clothing while transmission systems are also used to image objects under clothing but also those that have been ingested, hidden in body cavities, or implanted under the skin. Generally, radiation dose to scanned individuals is much lower from a back scatter system than from a transmission system.

Security scanners that use ionizing radiation are already in Canada, and their use is increasing. However, Canada has limited to no regulations for such technology. There are no Canadian regulations with requirements for the design, construction and functioning of such equipment, to ensure protection of individuals. Additionally, there are no regulations for the safe use of such equipment, for the protection of the persons being scanned. Legislation for the protection of workers who use or are near X-ray systems exist in some provinces and territories, but are not specific for this type of system and only cover workers, not the scanned population.

This presentation will discuss various types of systems and how they are categorized, based on international standards, due to the lack of Canadian regulations. For transmission scanners, which result in more dose to the scanned persons, the design and functional recommendations from the international standards will be reviewed.