Information for Consumers

Standards for your Protection Against Radiation Hazards: Notice to Employees (pdf) (13K)

Order Form (pdf): Radiation Protection Services Materials(52K)

• A doctor should examine you first, to determine if there is a clinical need for the x-ray. Ask your doctor if the x-ray is necessary.
• Be certain that you or your child's gonadal area receives some type of protective shielding when the gonadal area is being x-rayed unless the shield will interfere with the diagnosis. There is usually some type of leaded shield such as a leaded apron for dental x-rays. For medical x-rays, different types and sizes of leaded shielding (adult, child) should be used to protect the gonads if the area being x-rayed is near your gonads.
• If you change doctors, ask that your old x-rays be sent to your new doctor.
• If you are referred to another doctor, make sure that any x-rays already taken for your current problem are sent to the new doctor.
• Ask your dentist if they use "E", "F", or "D" speed x-ray film.   Using "E" speed x-ray film results in approximately 50% lower x-ray exposure to the patient compared to "D" speed x-ray film, and using the "F" speed film results in a further reduction of dose; i.e., 20% less patient exposure than E speed X-ray film. Diagnostic results are equal if proper film processing is maintained.

Examples: (exposure averages measured at skin entrance in milliroentgen (mR) for a 70 kVp machine)

• One dental intra-oral bitewing:
  • "D" speed film = 240 - 350 mR
  • "E" speed film = 120 - 170 mR
  • "F" speed film = 96 - 136 mR
• Full mouth series (18 films):
  • "D" speed film = 6300 mR
  • "E" speed film = 3060 mR
  • "F" speed film = 2448 mR
• Panographic full mouth exposure = approximately 600-800 mR
  • ( depending on the speed of the film / screen system )
• Medical chest x-ray = 4 to 18 mR
  • ( depending on the speed of the film / screen combination used )
  As an agency, we strive to keep radiation exposure as low as reasonably possible to stay within the boundaries of the ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable) standard. As a general statement, less is better.
  

• General Information

• Operating a Tanning Facility
• Medications that can sensitize the skin to sunlight (pdf).
• Tanning Warning Sign (pdf) (35K)

• Radon Gas
  • You can download a coupon for order either a short-term test kit or a long-term test kit (pdf) 
• Tips on testing your home for radon
• A list of radon measurment companies
• A list of radon mitigation companies in Oregon
• Radon levels for Oregon sorted by:
  • County
  • Zip Code