X-rays: Non-medical X-rays

On this page

• Introduction
• Analytical X-ray equipment
• Cabinet X-ray equipment
• Industrial X-ray equipment
• Security X-ray equipment
• Veterinary X-ray equipment

Introduction

There are many uses for X-rays outside of medical and dental applications. Some uses include security systems, research equipment and industrial imaging applications.

Health risks of non-medical X-rays

Radiation-induced health risks are low, as long as:

• non-medical X-ray devices conform to the:
  • Radiation Emitting Devices Act and
  • applicable Radiation Emitting Devices Regulations
• proper radiation protection guidance is followed when using a non-medical X-ray device, such as:
  • safety codes or
  • other guidance documents

Learn more about:

• X-ray exposure

Analytical X-ray equipment

Analytical X-ray machines use X-ray beams for microscopic examinations or atomic analyses of materials. These machines are found in industry, research labs and educational institutions.

There are many different types of analytical X-ray equipment, such as open-beam X-ray fluorescence (XRF) devices, which are portable and hand-held. Analytical X-ray devices expose a material to X-rays, then interpret the interaction with the X-rays to learn about the material.

Analytical techniques include:

• X-ray diffraction, which scatters the X-rays into a pattern that is unique to the type of material
• X-ray spectroscopy, which looks at characteristic X-rays emitted by the exposed material to determine its elements or characteristics

Cabinet X-ray equipment

This category includes X-ray generating devices that have the X-ray source permanently installed inside of a cabinet. The X-rays deliver a radiation dose or take images of the inside of objects that are placed partly or entirely inside the cabinet.

Industrial X-ray equipment

Industrial radiography (also known as non-destructive radiography) uses X-rays to look at the integrity of structures or components. The object being examined is exposed to a beam of X-rays. A detector placed on the opposite side records a 2D picture of the object. This picture identifies any flaws that may be present in the object.

Some industrial radiography equipment is portable and can be used at different kinds of job sites, such as:

• bridges
• aircraft hangars
• construction sites
• manufacturing facilities
• offshore platform operations
• pipeline construction and deployment

Security X-ray equipment

Baggage inspection X-ray devices

These devices take pictures of various items going through ports of entry, such as baggage, personal items or sealed mail. This is to identify prohibited or restricted goods.

Baggage X-ray inspection technologies include:

Standard 2D X-ray

This device has an X-ray source and detector on opposite sides of the inspection device. X-rays from the source travel through the objects being examined and those that are not absorbed or scattered are detected on the opposite side. The detected X-rays provide a 2D image of the inside of the examined objects.

Computed Tomography (CT)

The X-ray source and detectors rotate around the examination belt as the materials being examined move along it. Pictures of the materials from many angles calculate a 3D image of the materials. The 3D image can also be viewed as a stack of 2D pictures or slices through the material to help to see inside of complex objects.

Note that airport full-body scanners in Canada do not use X-rays.

Learn more about:

• Airport full-body scanners: Everyday things that emit radiation

Veterinary X-ray equipment

Diagnostic X-rays are an important part of veterinary medicine. For example, 2D radiographic X-rays can:

• diagnose respiratory infections
• look at bone injuries and gastrointestinal obstructions

Computed tomography (3D) X-ray systems can diagnose and monitor more complex conditions such as cancers or traumatic injuries in animals.

While a clinically appropriate X-ray exam could benefit the animal, operators must take precautions to reduce the possible harmful effects of ionizing radiation to themselves.