What is an X-ray Door
X-rays are an essential part of a lot of medical practice and scientific research, but excessive exposure to the rays can cause serious health problems. When a patient is X-rayed as part of their treatment or investigations the levels of exposure are very low and can be justified because the risk tends to be outweighed by the potential benefits. In addition, X-ray staff are highly trained to use the minimum amount of radiation required to get the necessary results.
For staff in such facilities, however, extended periods of time are spent amongst X-ray machinery so if precautions are not taken to protect them, health problems can occur. In 2005, a committee of 16 prestigious international experts in a variety of scientific fields found that even low-dose exposure to X-rays and gamma rays does increase a person’s risk of cancer by disrupting the way the cells in the body behave.
Because of this, ensuring that staff members and the public are adequately protected is absolutely essential. One way to do this is to fit specialist X-ray doors to any room or building which employs X-ray technology. These types of doors are lined with lead, which is such a dense material that X-rays and gamma rays cannot pass through it. They are an effective shield against the rays for anybody who wants to limit their exposure, and they tend to be supplied along with a door frame to reduce any areas which could “leak” radiation accidentally.
The types of businesses and organisations which typically benefit from X-ray doors include hospitals, dental practices, mammogram services, veterinary surgeries, scientific laboratories and universities. Examples of rooms or departments within those buildings that need particular care include X-ray rooms, areas using CT scanning equipment and radiotherapy departments.
As well as having an ethical responsibility to protect their staff, organisations using X-ray equipment are also subject to legal requirements to make sure that those who work in the vicinity of a source radiation are shielded from avoidable risk. Your Radiation Protection Adviser and your X-ray door supplier will be aware of the particular legislation which covers your situation and can advise you of the legal stipulations you must meet to ensure maximum safety for your staff, volunteers and visitors. If in doubt, always seek appropriate specialist advice so that you do not face unnecessary expenditure or have inadequate X-ray protection.
Different environments and technology require different degrees of X-ray protection, so finding a company which builds X-ray doors according to your specific needs is important. Not only will it be custom-made to fit, but the right amount of X-ray shielding will be built into the door. Different thicknesses of lead will be incorporated into the doors, depending on the radiation exposure risk, and these are specified by British Standard codes, for instance BS Code 6, which translates to six lb lead per square foot.
Bespoke X-ray doors are a wise investment for organisations with any degree of radiation exposure risk. They offer protection and peace of mind for employers and employees, and they ensure that legal responsibilities are fully complied with. By choosing bespoke X-ray doors you can make sure that your choice is safe, suitable and well-fitting, and we would be happy to offer you any advice or support you need to make your purchase on our helpline.
