X-ray equipment disposal and recycling

There is no simple answer to this question about x-ray equipment disposal and recycling, however, a Radiation Safety Officer should be consulted before disposal. Owners are encouraged to check their owner’s manual and there is some guidance in Health Canada’s Safety Code 34:

Radiation Protection & Safety for Industrial X-ray Equipment

For the disposal of an x-ray machine, the Radiation Safety Officer shall observe the instructions provided by the manufacturer in the product manual, or contact the manufacturer for information and guidance. In a case where a manufacturer is no longer in the business of manufacturing, selling or servicing industrial x-ray equipment, the following procedures shall be followed:

(i). the vacuum in the x-ray tube must be breached (this should not be attempted without proper instruction)

(ii). The x-ray tube window should be investigated to determine whether or not it contains beryllium, and if it does, special disposal procedures must apply since beryllium presents a toxic ingestion or inhalation hazard;

(iii). The transformer oil, if this exists, must be disposed of in accordance with pertinent environmental legislation (due to the possible presence of PCBs)

(iv). the lead must be recycled accordingly.

Once the above steps are followed, an x-ray machine can be recycled as scrap metal. The Foothills Regional Landfill & Resource Recovery Centre requires a certificate from a certified Radiation Safety Officer that a machine has been properly decommissioned, before we can accept an x-ray machine for recycling.

To properly dispose of x-ray equipment, contact Dental FixRX:
Dental Fix RX – AB
#301, 2949 – 17 Ave. SE
Calgary Ab. T2A 0P7
587-577-8056

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