South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control

We promote and protect the health of the public and the environment.

• Mammography
• Our Offices - Location Map
• Radioactive Materials & Licensing
• Tanning
• X-Ray
• X-Ray Vendors (pdf)
• Sanctions

X-Ray

The Division of Electronic Products is responsible for regulating the use of sources of electronically produced radiation (X-Rays). The regulatory activities consist of both a registration and an inspection/enforcement program.

The Division regulates approximately 3,000 X-Ray Facilities with over 6,000 X-Ray units throughout South Carolina. Prior to operating x-ray equipment, facilities must receive facility registration approval. This includes a review of their operating procedures, radiation protection program, and shielding design. The shielding design approval process requires a review of the architectural blueprint, an analysis of the type and number of X-Rays performed, and a determination of the room and surrounding area occupancy rate.

• X-Ray Regulations

• X-Ray Regulatory Guides

  • REGULATORY GUIDE B1 - REGISTRATION OF X-RAY FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT
  • REGULATORY GUIDE B2 - COMPLYING WITH TITLE B - MEDICAL FACILITIES
  • REGULATORY GUIDE B3 - COMPLYING WITH TITLE B - DENTAL FACILITIES
  • REGULATORY GUIDE B4 - COMPLYING WITH TITLE B - FACILITIES UTILIZING ANALYTICAL OR INDUSTRIAL X-RAY EQUIPMENT
  • REGULATORY GUIDE B5 - COMPLYING WITH TITLE B - VENDORS
  • REGULATORY GUIDE B6 - X-RAY FACILITY SHIELDING PLANS
  • REGULATORY GUIDE B7 - COMPLYING WITH TITLE B - MAMMOGRAPHY
  • REGULATORY GUIDE B8 - COMPLYING WITH TITLE B - BONE DENSITOMETERS
  • REGULATORY GUIDE B9 - COMPLYING WITH TITLE B - VETERINARY FACILITIES
    
  • REGULATORY GUIDE B10 - COMPLYING WITH TITLE B - HOSPITALS
    
    

• X-Ray Forms

• X-Ray Facilities

• X-Ray Vendors

• Notice to Employees - Standards For Protection Against Radiation

There are numerous types of facilities using a wide variety of x-ray equipment. General radiographic (x-ray) equipment is used by physicians, chiropractors, podiatrists, and veterinarians. These units are also located in all hospitals and medical clinics. Most hospitals and some specialty clinics have more specialized equipment for special imaging needs. These specialized types of x-ray equipment include: fluoroscopic units, computed tomography units (CAT scanners), mammographic units (used for early detection of breast cancer), and linear accelerators (high energy units used for cancer treatment). Dental offices use three types of x-ray equipment: intraoral (where the film is placed inside the patient's mouth), panoramic (where the x-ray machine rotates around the patient's head), and cephalometric (where an x-ray is taken from the side of the patient's head to show jaw structure). Other equipment types include industrial radiographic (for x-ray examination of constructed materials), analytical (for sample analysis in industry and research institutions), and security units (baggage checkers).

Inspections

X-ray facilities are inspected according to a priority schedule ranging from annually to once every four years, depending on facility type. Inspections concentrate on the proper performance of the equipment, quality control procedures, radiation protection, and operator qualifications.

South Carolina Regional Calibration Laboratory

The Division of Electronic Products operates an accredited calibration facility for calibrating radiation detection and measurement instruments for radiation control programs nationwide. This laboratory, accredited by the Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors, is one of only three accredited labs in the nation run by state radiation control programs. The lab is certified for both x-ray and gamma ray calibrations. Instruments from over 15 other states have been calibrated at the laboratory.

For additional information, contact:  Aaron Gantt at (803) 545-4400