Radiological Health
Responsible for safe use of radiation sources within the state of Alaska
Who we are
Radiological Health is a program within the State Public Health Laboratories. This program is responsible for ensuring the safe use of radiation sources with emphasis on x-ray producing devices within the state of Alaska. Our office collaborates with other agencies, such as the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), to protect the health and safety of all Alaska residents.
What we do
Under Alaska Statute, the Radiological Health Program is responsible for protecting the public from radiation hazards. We do this by establishing regulations, guides, and policies related to using X-ray devices and other radiation sources. Our radiation protection priorities include both ionizing and non-ionizing radiation.
The state directly oversees X-ray producing devices. We also may be asked to review situations involving radioactive materials.
Our focus is:
- Registration and inventory of all X-ray producing devices
- Registration of all vendors servicing X-ray devices
- Inspecting facilities that use radiation sources
- Ensuring quality control and assurance in the use of radiation sources
- Measurement and safe use of radiation sources
- Evaluating hazards in the use of radiation sources
- Reviewing design plans and shielding for radiation sources
- Determining effects of health exposures to radiation sources
- Working with other agencies to address radiation hazards to include radioactive materials
We do not have regulations regarding medical use lasers, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultraviolet radiation (ie. tanning beds), or electromagnetic radiation (transmitting towers).
Alaska's Radiological health facility and device database
The Radiological Health Program uses Smartsheet to track and document devices, facilities, and vendors across the state. Due the limited size of our staff supporting this program, it is necessary to provide a synchronized and self-managed database tool to adopt new devices, terminate devices, track registrations, and to keep our services to the people of Alaska as reasonably priced as possible.
Smartsheet is an online database that can be accessed from your facility. The system is used broadly across many departments in the State of Alaska and was chosen as the platform that is easiest to use and implement for our radiological health partners.
Update facility and device information
If you have any issues with navigating the database, constructing your account, or updating, please contact us and we will provide direct customer service to your facility.
Resources
For information on Dental X-Ray devices please see related resources section below.