Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-06-18
Goldman Sees
Control Vital
As Uses Grow

ment will ask for funds to set
up an inspections system for all
radioactive materials used in the
city including routine checks Of
x-ray machines used by physi.
clans and dentists.
The department will ask Con-
gress for fund sto hire a full
time health physicist" with the
same qualifications as Atomic
Energy Commission inspectors
to start the program. DR.. Fred
erick H. Goldman, chief of
the Health Departments Public
Health Engineering Division,
said today.
DR.. Goldman, at present the
only Health Department man
available to make such inspec-
lions, said. This field is grow
ing to such proportions that SUI
pervision has become necessary"
He said that physicians and
dentists using X-ray machines
are generally well aware of the
possible dangers Of radiation and
most have manufacturers repre-.
sentatives make periodic checks.
But. supervisory checks BY the
department would help, he said.
Gets Copies Of Permits
The Acc. he added, furnishes
the department with copies of
permits for each new user OF
radioactive isotopes in the Dis
trict. AS far as X-ray machines
are concerned, the main control
is in the fact that the Building
and Grounds Department sends
copies of plans for new offices to
the Health Department for an.
proval.
Hospitals and similar institr-
tons using X-rays for diagnostic
and therapeutic work must be
licensed by the Health Depart
ment.
DR.. Goldman declared that To
date the department has not felt
II necessary to ask the Commits
Sioners to provide additional
specific regulations for the con-
troll OF radioactive matter and
x-rays because of the broad pub-
lie health regulations applying
to the department.
However, he said, the special
legislation and regulations of
many of the States are being
closely watched.
DR.. Goldman said that M
instance has been found here
where persons using such mate
rails have not been cooperative
The problem. he pointed out, is
mainly carelessness or neeli-
. 'gence.
He cited several recent Incl.
dences of danger in radioactive
materials used in the District
including woman physicist
, who obtained some cobalt to
: bury with plumbing pipes in a
new subdivision so they could
be located with Geiger counter.
Children Nearby
The scheme didn't prove prac-
tical. he said. and on the basis
OF the Acc permit copy he re-
ceived, Dr. Goldman went to in
vestigate. The cobalt was found
: in her apartment on a window
sill with her 2-year-old child
playing nearby.
A matchmaker obtained some
radium derivatives to paint
watch dials. A check showed
the mans Office space became
/. radioactive.
A food packing firm used
radioactive device to drain of
static electricity. DR.. Goldman
investigated and the Health De-
partment decided radioactive
materials had no place in a food
establishment.
Already this year. DR.. Gold
man declared, the Acc has re-
ported 10 new users of radio
active substances.
Over the last two years. medi.
cal journals and other publica-
lions have repeatedly warned
physicians and dentists of the
possible dangers of too much
X-ray radiation.
The use Of the X-ray and
radioactive isotopes has become
so widespread. DR.. Goldman
pointed out, that the Health De-
partment must assume some re-
sponsibility for the protection
of the public.
He added that the problem
facing the department is not
that of enforcing inspections
but matter of enough staff
to make the inspections.