In order to avoid physical harm to patients, Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) is planning to write to the clinics carrying out CT scan tests to adhere to the international As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) standard.
According to Dr. K. S. Parthasarathy, secretary, AERB, most of the clinics carrying out CT scan tests are giving extra dosages, which could do physical harm to the patients. Therefore the board has decided to shortly write to 300-odd clinics carrying out the CT scan tests to adhere to standard norms so that there are no variations in level or radiation passed on to the patients. Dr. Parthasarathy has cited that even today different radiologists give different units of dosages with out taking into consideration of standard norms.
Dr. Parthasarathy is also the President of Indian Association of Radiation Protection (IARP) and an international authority on radiation measurements, radiation safety in the application of radiation in industry, medicine and research, and atomic energy regulations in the country. According to him, x-rays should not be performed for non-clinical reasons.
In late seventies in the United Kingdom, radiation was used to check children for immigration clearance. However, the system was stopped following a heated debate in Parliament. The World Health Organisation in its document has stated that the radiation should not be used for non-clinical purpose Dr. Parthasarathy quipped.
At an international conference on 'Radiation protection measurements and dosimetry: Current practices and future trends' conducted at the BARC, Dr. Parthasarathy pointed out that the medical x-ray examinations are very useful procedures, when they are clinically justified. Age determination by x-raying bone joints is not a justified practice.
The AERB is opposed to the proposal of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to have a radiation test to keep a check on overaged cricketers playing for the under 16 and under 19 teams. The BCCI has also reported to have appointed a radiologist to carry out the test.
According to AERB, the procedures involve appreciable dose to growing tissues and should not be performed for non-clinical reasons unless absolutely necessary.
In 1979, the British Medical Association strongly recommended that radiological examinations carried out solely for administrative and political purposes are unethical. They instructed the general medical council to make the strongest possible representation to the United Kingdom government to ban these practices and finally the UK discontinued such a practice. Currently, British regulations forbid x-raying hands of healthy children.