I have a broken x-ray machine that my father brought home a long time ago. It was manufactured around the early '90s and I think I could find some "radioactive" material on it, such as Cesium 137. The reason I think I could find this stuff is because I live in Brazil, where we had an radioactive accident in the year of 1987 (caused by two "scrap dealers" who found a broken x-ray machine, just like me), and new technology is always late for us. So, it's impossible not to find "old technology" everywhere in this country.
Could someone help me? This is a machine used by dentists to take x-ray photographs of patients' mouths (my father is a dentist).
Could someone help me? This is a machine used by dentists to take x-ray photographs of patients' mouths (my father is a dentist).
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It is more likely to be an electrical vacuum tube type x-ray generator if used for dental x-rays.
Isotope sources are mostly used for industrial radiography of metal welds and castings.
Before using or opening either machine read up on all the safety literature you can get your hands on.
In most countries use of either type will require possession of a suitable radiation workers license and regular (yearly ?) medical checks. In most countries the mere possession of radioactive isotopes requires some form of licensing.
The electrical tube type machines do not pose much risk if they are not powered on (some may have the vacuum in a glass tube, some may have Beryllium or its compounds). If operating, but without suitable shielding and/or safety interlocks and timers they will also pose a radiation hazard. Even when set up correctly you should limit your exposure wisely.
Radioactive isotopes that sometimes find their way to scrap yards pose a significant risk if the container is opened or damaged by uneducated staff and the amount of radiation at close range can be very high and lethal.
Find out about that specific machine and what type it is before operating it. If it has a isotope source and is damaged, keep your distance (50m would be a minimum and even then not for long periods).
Also the labelling on the machine would indicate the dangers it poses if they are still all visible. The type and activity (strength) of any included isotope should be indicated. The maximum keV or kV for a tube type unit should be indicated. Search the internet for the brand and model number of the machine, you may get some usefull details.
The incident shown below which you may be referring to was not an diagnostic x-ray machine but a radiation therapy machine which often use radioactive isotopes.
>>>>>>> September 13, 1987 – In the Goiânia accident, scavengers broke open a radiation-therapy machine in an abandoned clinic of Goiânia, Brazil. They sold the kilocurie (40 TBq) 137-Cs source as a glowing curiosity. Two hundred and fifty were contaminated, four died. <<<<<<<
Isotope sources are mostly used for industrial radiography of metal welds and castings.
Before using or opening either machine read up on all the safety literature you can get your hands on.
In most countries use of either type will require possession of a suitable radiation workers license and regular (yearly ?) medical checks. In most countries the mere possession of radioactive isotopes requires some form of licensing.
The electrical tube type machines do not pose much risk if they are not powered on (some may have the vacuum in a glass tube, some may have Beryllium or its compounds). If operating, but without suitable shielding and/or safety interlocks and timers they will also pose a radiation hazard. Even when set up correctly you should limit your exposure wisely.
Radioactive isotopes that sometimes find their way to scrap yards pose a significant risk if the container is opened or damaged by uneducated staff and the amount of radiation at close range can be very high and lethal.
Find out about that specific machine and what type it is before operating it. If it has a isotope source and is damaged, keep your distance (50m would be a minimum and even then not for long periods).
Also the labelling on the machine would indicate the dangers it poses if they are still all visible. The type and activity (strength) of any included isotope should be indicated. The maximum keV or kV for a tube type unit should be indicated. Search the internet for the brand and model number of the machine, you may get some usefull details.
The incident shown below which you may be referring to was not an diagnostic x-ray machine but a radiation therapy machine which often use radioactive isotopes.
>>>>>>> September 13, 1987 – In the Goiânia accident, scavengers broke open a radiation-therapy machine in an abandoned clinic of Goiânia, Brazil. They sold the kilocurie (40 TBq) 137-Cs source as a glowing curiosity. Two hundred and fifty were contaminated, four died. <<<<<<<