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   The Division of Environmental Health licenses, certifications, and permits

Learn more about the Division of Environmental Health

X-Ray Section 

The X-Ray Section of the Office of Radiation Protection is the largest section in the Office, with inspectors in Olympia, Bellevue, Spokane, and Yakima.  The Section conducts about 1800 inspections a year and finds violations of regulations in approximately 25% of the facilities.  Facilities are required to correct these violations, although no fines or penalties are assessed.

The main emphasis is on patient exposure and image quality.  This Section evaluates film processing, machine performance, technologist qualifications, and operator protection.  All X-ray machines are required to be registered through the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL).

• Inspections

• Record Retention of X-Rays

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Chiropractic

  • Podiatry

• Registration of X-ray Equipment

  • Registration Information

  • Plan Review

    • Qualified Experts List - Health physicists approved to do X-ray shielding plans
    • X-ray Shielding Plan Review Procedure (PDF, 49.7 KB)
    • X-ray Shielding Review Information for Qualified Experts (PDF, 22.2 KB)

  • Fees

  • Personnel Dose Monitoring

  • Dosimetry Service Providers (NVLAP-approved)

  • X-Ray Machine and Lead Apron Disposal

• Typical Patient Exposures

• Whole Body Scanning Using Computed Tomography (CT)

• X-ray Facts to Remember

• X-Ray Fee Restructure

• X-ray Flood Issues Q&A:  Potential effects of water on an X-ray operation.

• Contact Information

• External Links

Record Retention of X-Rays

Medical (Hospitals)

Keep for a period of no less than 10 years following the most recent discharge of the patient; except the records of minors which should be kept for no less than 3 years following the age of 18 or 10 years following discharge; whichever is longer RCW 70.41.190.

Medical records for employees must be kept for as long as the employee works for you plus 30 years; unless the employee works for less than one year and you provide the records to the employee when they leave employment WAC 296-802-20005.

Dental

Keep for a period of 5 years WAC 246-817-310.

Chiropractic

Keep for 5 years WAC 246-808-650.

Podiatry

Keep for a minimum of seven years after treatment is rendered WAC 246-922-260.

CRCPD Committee on Medical Practice (H-3) recommends retention of records for a period of 7 years for adults, or for minors until the age of majority plus 7 years.

X-Ray Machine and Lead Apron Disposal

X-ray machines may contain lead, (and sometimes beryllium and/or PCB contaminated oil). Use of a commercial X-ray company or recycler to ensure proper disposal of  x-ray units and/or lead aprons is recommended. The facility must permanently disable the x-ray machines before transferring them to a vendor or recycler.

X-Ray Facts to Remember

• X-rays do not bounce around in a room after an exposure; there is some scatter radiation during the exposure, of course, but since X-rays travel at the speed of light  (just as light does!), there is no lingering radiation after the X-ray exam.

• X-rays do not "accumulate" in one's body after X-ray exams are done. However, it is true that the EFFECTS of exposure can accumulate.

• X-rays do not make you radioactive after the exposure.

• X-rays are like gamma rays. Neither should be compared to sunshine, microwaves, or other non-ionizing types of radiation. Microwaves, radiowaves, cellular phone frequencies, or 60 Hz electrical power line magnetic fields are NOT the same as X-rays and other forms of ionizing radiation.

External Links

Radiology Information

Contact Information

X-Ray Control Section
P.O. Box 47827
Olympia, WA 98504-7827

Phone (360) 236-3236