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X-Ray Program
Overview
The X-ray program has the overall responsibility for registering electronic radiation producing devices and vendor licensing throughout the State of Oregon. This program has the responsibility for the safe use of electronic radiation products in the work place. This is accomplished through tracking devices via the registration program, the periodic on-site facility inspections and through public education programs.
The program is a part of the Radiation Protection Services Section in the Oregon Department of Human Services, Office of Environmental Public Health. We are located in the State Office Building at 800 NE Oregon Street. Our office telephone number is (971)673-0490.
History
In 1961 the Oregon State Legislature enacted a Radiation Control Law which authorized the Governor to enter into agreement with the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission. This law also announced the policy of the State of Oregon to institute and maintain a regulatory program for all radiation sources in a manner which assures compatibility with the standards and regulatory programs of the Federal Government and those of other states. The then State Board of Health, now the Health Services, was designated by law as the responsible agency for the institution and maintenance of the program.
The x-ray program was active long before this law became effective. In those days the U.S. Public Health played a big part in getting radiation safety moving in Oregon by providing education and equipment. As early as 1950 surveys of shoe fitting fluoroscopes were being done within the state. At that time over 80% of these units were found to be defective. This led to the promulgation of safety standards for their use, which were issued in 1951. Later in 1958 when these units were outlawed in Oregon, there was good cooperation on the part of the shoe merchants, so that this source of needless radiation exposure was properly eliminated.
In 1961, an excess of 900 dental offices were identified and they registered 1050 dental x-ray units. Then, early in 1963, we saw the registration of the veterinarian user of x-ray and their subsequent survey. Next, the registration of physician users of x-ray was accomplished in mid 1963 when approximately 800 medical machines were registered. Since then, the registration of x-ray installation of the chiropractic, podiatrist, industrial, and academic users were added.
Program Information
The structure of the x-ray program has changed very little from the early sixties. We have enlarged and improved the scope of the inspection process to include more meaningful radiation safety concepts, which help both the operator and the public. As would be expected, the number of x-ray machines has increased in all categories of healing arts radiographic imaging.
Currently the State of Oregon registers over 8,000 active x-ray machines of various types. There are over 3,000,000 people subject to risk if they were to be unnecessarily irradiated by a faulty x-ray unit, a poorly chosen technique, an unqualified or improperly trained x-ray operator or a careless practitioner of the healing arts.
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Program Staff
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