Positions & Resolutions
Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors, Inc.

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CONFERENCE OF RADIATION CONTROL PROGRAM DIRECTORS, INC.

RESOLUTION

Relating to: Public being irradiated with ionizing radiation for non-medical purposes.

WHEREAS: Members of the public are being irradiated with ionizing radiation for non-medical purposes. Specifically, but not by way of limitation,

Members of the public, including children, are irradiated at each visit to certain prisons;

Members of the public, including children, are irradiated upon entry into the United States from certain countries.

WHEREAS: This results in unnecessary radiation exposure with little or no benefit (medical or otherwise) to those individuals.

WHEREAS: The practice results in the repeated irradiation of many individuals, including pregnant women and children.

WHEREAS: Presidential recommendations of 1978 noted that "x-ray screening" examination should be limited to specific groups based on medical benefit of the diagnostic examinations.

WHEREAS: Federal policy discourages the use of x-ray examinations that are not medically necessary.

WHEREAS: Since the 1980's, state and federal agencies have made great strides in reducing or eliminating unnecessary screening and administrative x-rays.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:

The Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors membership recommends that screening or administrative procedures requiring human exposure to ionizing radiation for non-medical purposes be immediately discontinued.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

The Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors membership endorses regulatory or statutory amendments that will preclude this practice except where effective alternative means do not exist.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

The CRCPD urges each state to adopt regulations pursuant to international guidance that would preclude this practice without adequate assessment and justification accompanied by the methodology for optimization of the equipment and process.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That the CRCPD submit a letter to the Customs Service and other appropriate federal agencies advising such agency(s) of our position of this issue.

 

 

Approved by the CRCPD Membership May 12, 1999