Scientific Study on

External Ionising Radiation Exposure

during Vehicle Radiographic Inspections

“X-ray Study”

UNECE – WP.30Geneva, 12 June 2012

(c) International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2012

Jens Hügel Head – Sustainable Development

This is the IRU

(c) International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2012Page 2

(c) International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2012

Evolution of IRU Membership

1948: eight founder countries

2012: 170 Members in 73 countries

2012: 22 CRIPA Members

2012: 170 Members in 73 countries

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Security demands lead to increase in vehicle scanning

(c) International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2012Page 4

Is there a health and safety risk for drivers?

Scientific Study

(c) International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2012

Study by the Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health Zagreb, Croatia – Recommended by the ILO

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There are 2 typesof scanners used at borders

(c) International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2012Page 6

Silhouette Scanner

Driver sits inside the vehicle

Driver drives the vehicle through the scanner

There are 2 typesof scanners used at borders

(c) International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2012Page 7

LINAC Scanner

Driver is not in the vehicle

LINAC scanner moves along the stationary vehicle

Study Methodology

(c) International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2012Page 8

Background radiationwas measured and equipment calibrated

Phantom driver control measurements

Drivers carriedpersonal dosimeters

Dosimeters wereplaced in the cabin

Study Methodology

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On site scanning and safety procedures were observed and compared with accepted international standards

Customs officers, x-ray scanning operators, inspection staff and drivers were interviewed at every border crossing visited

Study Results

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Customs keep history track of every truck-company - driver scanned (blacklist?)

Study Results

(c) International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2012Page 11

Scanning stationary vehicles takes considerable time

Clear information on the scanning process is missing

Border authorities were sometimes not acquainted with radiation protection standards

Study Results

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There is an occupational health and safety risks for drivers if safety procedures are not followed

No residual radiation occurs in the vehicle

Study Results

(c) International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2012Page 13

Internationally recognised radiation protection standards are not always followed

4 Main Recommendations

(c) International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2012Page 14

1. Install appropriate information panels everywhere x-ray scanning is performed

2. Develop x-ray scanning certificates to avoid repetitive scanning and to accelerate the x-ray scanning process

3. Implement internationally recognised x-ray scanning procedures

4. Improve education of drivers, Customs officers and x-ray scanning operators on the functioning and risks of x-ray scanning

Save the date!

(c) International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2012Page 15

www.iru.org

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