Dental X-ray machine radiation danger alert

[bananas]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-20579318

Dental X-ray machine radiation danger alert
By Michelle Roberts Health editor, BBC News online
3 December 2012

Dentists have been warned against using a hand-held X-ray machine on patients as it poses a significant health risk.

The cheap imported machine, known as the Tianjie Dental Falcon, exposes users and patients to 10 times the normal level of radiation, increasing their risks of cancer and organ damage.

<snip>

Emergency testing of the product by the Health Protection Agency and scientists at King's College Hospital in London revealed that it has insufficient lead shielding inside it to protect dentists and patients from excessive radiation.

The machine's X-ray beam is also too wide, which means a patient's whole skull and brain is exposed to radiation rather than just their mouth.

And the device poses an electrical hazard because it comes with a European plug and a travel adapter that are not earthed or fused for the UK mains supply. As well as being a fire hazard, it could cause a serious electric shock (50,000 volts) to the dentist or patients.

<snip>

http://www.webmd.boots.com/oral-health/news/20121204/radiation-warning-dental-xray

Radiation warning over dental X-ray machine

Cheap eBay X-ray machine could give patients 10 times normal radiation dose

By Peter Russell
WebMD UK Health News
Medically Reviewed by Dr Keith David Barnard



4th December 2012 - Dentists are being warned to stop using portable X-ray machines that fail to display European conformity marks after one product was found to pose a health risk to patients.

Tests carried out by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) and King's College Hospital found that the Tianjie Dental Falcon device lacks sufficient shielding in the X-ray tube, which could result in patients receiving unacceptable levels of radiation. It would also pose a risk to operators under typical dental surgery workloads.

At least one dental surgery has been found using the device.

The cheap imported machine has been available for sale on eBay.

<snip>

[Walk away]

1. Another good reason to avoid going to the dentist!

Now I need a Valium and a lead suit before seeing Dr. Markowitz!

[Victor_c3]

3. be careful with the lead suit

heavy metal poisoning sucks a lot too.

I deal with a lot of lead and X-rays at work. Our safety manager didn't find it humorous when I suggested that could self-test myself for lead exposure by shooting my arm with X-rays.

(For those not in the know, you can use X-rays and the process of X-ray diffraction to quickly tell you the elemental makeup of an unknown sample in a matter of seconds. Based on how the X-rays interact and reflect off of the atoms in your sample, you can get an accurate assay easily within parts per 10,000 with a simple handheld X-ray gun.)

Sorry, I'm a nerd. I guess I have a different sense of humor than most people...

[Walk away]

5. Suddenly Denture Creme doesn't sound so noxious! Maybe I just go for the fakes...

and live longer

[pacalo]

2. "Available for sale on eBay"!

Thanks for the tip, bananas!

[2on2u]

4. With a few modifications it might be able to make a drone lose its mind.... hmmmmmm. n/t

[ROBROX]

6. HEALTH PHYSICS FIRST!!

I always ask what my exposure will be since all people who use xrays are taught the basics which include radiation exposure. The brain can be exposed to thousands of roentgen of radiation and not really affect the person. To much of anything is BAD.

I am so glad my life time exposure was less than 3 REM or radiation.