Radiation Protection Programs for Security Scanners using Ionizing Radiation

Technology is rapidly outpacing the creation of regulations in the area of security scanners utilizing ionizing radiation. The previous presentation discussed various types of such scanners, 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).

In this presentation we will explore the practical implementation of security scanners that use ionizing radiation and the aspects that should be included in a radiation protection program for the protection of the scanned persons as well as protection of the workers. This will be based on international standards due to the lack of current Canadian regulations. The classification of scanner types was discussed in the previous presentation and will not be repeated here.

We will discuss the radiation protection principles of justification, optimization, and dose limits and how these would be applied to the planned exposure scenario of security screening of humans. Strategies for dose reduction will be considered, as well as administrative limits for dose to scanned persons and regulatory or recommended limitations for dose to workers. The need for policies and procedures will be examined, and we will discuss what should be included in such documents. Personnel requirements, including the need for training of system operators, nearby workers, and X-ray Safety Officers will be discussed, along with recommendations for educational materials for scanned persons.