Report of the Department of Health / New Zealand.

  • New Zealand. Department of Health.
Date:
[1958]
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Report of the Department of Health / New Zealand. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    128/148 (page 128)
    A brief survey of the work done in the various sections of the labora¬ tory follows, arranged alphabetically under individual section headings. Clerical Section Over the last few years the staff of the Clerical Section has taken an increasing part in the processing of radiation test films. During the year, after a careful investigation, it was found possible to simplify the record¬ ing work while preserving the essential details required. An appreciable saving of time was effected and the new simplified system has proved satisfactory in the four months since the changeover. During the year the staff of this section performed all the clerical work associated with the preparation of figures used in the survey of genetically significant radiation for the United Nations Scientific Sub- Committee. All darkroom work is now done by the clerical staff. Apart from the processing of 20,846 radiation test films, this work included the micro¬ filming of 1,891 pages, printing 2,977 pages, and enlarging 168 prints. The work associated with the ordering of radioactive substances for all New Zealand users is increasing steadily each year. Since the laboratory took over this work the annual orders have quadrupled. The library service provided 103 loans of publications to departmental and others users and it maintains the distribution of 61 technical periodi¬ cals. Diagnostic Section During the year under review the two physicists in this section have checked a total of 786 X-ray plants, of which: 233 were medical diagnos¬ tic plants; 421 were dental diagnostic plants; 38 were chiropractic diag¬ nostic plants; 18 were veterinary diagnostic plants; 53 were shoe-fitting plants; 23 were industrial, experimental, educational or research plants. The X-ray plants included in last year’s routine surveys were located in the Provinces of Canterbury, Otago, Southland, Hawke’s Bay, Tara¬ naki, Wellington, Auckland, and Northland. In addition, special visits by physicists from this section were made to investigate suspected cases of overexposure to radiation. A scheme was put forward to eliminate the possibility of hazards arising from school demonstration X-ray plants and, with the assistance of the RNZAF, a visit was paid to the Chatham Islands to check possible radiation hazards during the operation of a small X-ray plant there. The visiting of all these X-ray plants entailed some 25 week’s travelling by the two officers concerned and, while engaged *in field work, an average of 55-60 hours per week was worked by the physicists. Mention has been made elsewhere in this report of the marked reduction in the occupational exposure received by radiation workers in New Zealand. The efforts of the physicists in educating radiation workers, and the practical help and instruction given by them to radiation workers, are largely responsible for these good results. Considerable work has also been done by the physicists of this section to bring about a reduction of the X-ray dosage to patients in many diagnostic procedures by such means as added filtration, the use of higher kilovoltage and faster films. In some cases patient dosage