North Dakota Administrative Code › Title 33.1 - Department of Environmental Quality › Article 33.1-10 - Radiological Health Rules › Chapter 33.1-10-06 - X-Rays in the Healing Arts › Appendix D - X-RAY FILM DEVELOPING

Current through Supplement No. 393, July, 2024
Time Temperature Chart
Thermometer Readings (Degrees)
Minimum Developing Times (Minutes)
C
F
27
-
80
2
79
2
78
2 ½
77
2 ½
24
-
76
3
75
3
74
3 ½
73
3 ½
22
-
72
4
71
4
70
4 ½
69
4 ½
20
-
68
5
67
5 ½
66
5 ½
65
6
18
-
64
6 ½
63
7
62
8
61
8 ½
16
-
60
9 ½
Processing of Film
1. Manual processing of film.
a. Where film is developed manually, processing tanks should
				  be made of mechanically rigid, corrosion resistant material and the temperature
				  of solutions in the tanks shall be maintained within the range of sixteen
				  degrees Celsius to twenty-seven degrees Celsius [60-80 degrees Fahrenheit].
				  Film shall be developed in accordance with the time-temperature relationships
				  recommended by the film manufacturer, or, in the absence of such
				  recommendations, with the above time-temperature chart.
b. Devices shall be available which will give all of the
				  following:
(1) The actual temperature of the developer.
(2) An audible or visible signal, after a preset time (in
				  minutes of duration).
2. Automatic processors and other closed processing
				  systems.
a. Film shall be developed in accordance with the
				  time-temperature relationships recommended by the film manufacturer.
b. The specified developer temperature and immersion time
				  shall be posted in the darkroom or on the automatic processor.
c. Preventive maintenance shall be performed on the unit,
				  except for extended periods of nonuse, on a frequency basis which is not less
				  than that schedule recommended by the manufacturer. In the event that no
				  schedule is available from the manufacturer a maintenance schedule shall be
				  established which will preserve good film quality.
d. After a full cleansing of the processor a film shall be
				  exposed to a density of approximately one, with one-half of the film protected
				  exposure. It will be developed and then kept near the unit and daily at least
				  one test film (exposed under techniques identical with those used for the
				  original test film) shall be compared with the original test film to evaluate
				  the adequacy of the unit's developing capability and base fog level.
3. Processing deviations from the requirements of appendix D
				  shall be documented by the registrant in such manner that the requirements are
				  shown to be met or exceeded (e.g., extended processing, and special rapid
				  chemistry).
4. Other requirements:
a. Pass boxes, if provided, shall be so constructed as to
				  exclude light from the darkroom when cassettes are placed in or removed from
				  the boxes, and shall incorporate adequate shielding from stray radiation to
				  prevent exposure of undeveloped film.
b. The darkroom shall be light tight and use proper
				  safelighting such that any film type in use exposed in a cassette to
				  x-radiation sufficient to produce an optical density from one to two when
				  processed shall not suffer an increase in density greater than 0.1 (0.05 for
				  mammography) when exposed in the darkroom for two minutes with all safelights
				  on. If used, daylight film handling boxes shall preclude fogging of the
				  film.
c. Darkrooms typically used by more than one individual shall
				  be provided a method to prevent accidental entry while undeveloped films are
				  being handled or processed.
d. Film shall be stored in a cool, dry place and shall be
				  protected from exposure to stray radiation. Film in open packages shall be
				  stored in a light tight container.
e. Film cassettes and intensifying screens shall be inspected
				  periodically and shall be cleaned and replaced as necessary to best assure
				  radiographs of good diagnostic quality.
f. Outdated x-ray film shall not be used for diagnostic
				  radiographs, unless the film has been stored in accordance with the
				  manufacturer's recommendations and a sample of the film passes a sensitometric
				  test for normal ranges of base plus fog and speed.
g. Film developing solutions shall be prepared in accordance
				  with the directions given by the manufacturer, and shall be maintained in
				  strength by replenishment or renewal so that full development is accomplished
				  within the time specified by the manufacturer.