X-RAY FILM RISK

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 717, 17 July 1929, Page 7

X-RAY FILM RISK

ECHO OF CLEVELAND DISASTER PRECAUTIONS IN AUCKLAND The object-lesson provided by the recent disaster in a hospital of Cleveland. U.S.A., when many deaths followed the spread of gas from burning X-ray Film, has been learned by the New Zealand health a uthorities. At yesterday's meeting of the Auck- ; land Hospital Board, a circular letter was received from the Department of j Health, Wellington, referring to the j Cleveland disaster, and contending that risk was greatly minimised if film was kept in steel-lined receptacles away from heat. Reporting on the facilities for storing films at the Auckland Hospital. Dr. X. McDougall wrote stating that a week’s supply of unexposed film was kept in the darkroom in a wooden cupboard. The total number was never more than 2SS. Exposed films were stored on wooden shelves in the photographic room, the total number being in the vicinity of 30,000, which represented the accumulation of three years. After the third year, films were burned. Both the darkroom and the photographic room were well ventilated, and the films were not in contact with heat. Dr. McDougall added that, to reduce the lire hazard, it would appear that tho bulk of exposed film should' be. transferred to a specially constructed vault, remote from any hospital building. -Pointing out that non-inflammable films probably would be available in the near future, tuie ciiafi.man yv. Wallace, said that the board should avoid going to any big expense. A member suggested that a vault would be the cheapest method. Dr. Gunson said he understood the Cleveland disaster was caused by gases from the film. Would not the films at the Auckland Hospital be safer where they were? The room was well ventilated. The Chairman: Admirably ventilated. It was decided to forward Dr. MeDougall’s report to the department, thus opening the question for further discussion.