INTRODUCTION

The goal of the Bureau of Radiological Health is to improve the quality of life by protecting the public and radiation workers from unnecessary exposure to ionizing radiation from machine sources and reducing medical misdiagnosis caused by faulty x-ray equipment and operator error. We strive to accomplish our goal by registering and inspecting all machine sources of ionizing radiation and administering a technologist licensure program which ensures that competent technologists are available to operate x-ray equipment and to administer nuclear medicine.

The Machine Source Section of the Bureau of Radiological Health (BRH) administers New Jersey's program to register and inspect all x-ray equipment within the state. There are almost 22,000 x-ray machines registered in New Jersey. It is the responsibility of the owner to register the equipment and to see that it complies with all applicable sections of the New Jersey Administrative Code (N.J.A.C. 7:28) at all times. A copy of N.J.A.C. 7:28 is available from the BRH. All machine sources of radiation must be registered with the BRH. In other words, if it has an x-ray tube in it, it must be registered.

The Technologist Certification Section of the Bureau of Radiological Health administers New Jersey's educational and licensure program for radiologic technologists. In New Jersey, all nuclear medicine, radiation therapy and x-ray procedures on humans must be performed by individuals who are licensed by the Radiologic Technology Board of Examiners or the Department of Environmental Protection. New Jersey licensed doctors also are permitted to perform x-ray or radiation therapy procedures provided that they are practicing within the scope of their licenses. A dental hygienist registered by the Dental Board of Examiners is permitted to perform dental x-ray procedures.

The Mammography Section of the Bureau of Radiological Health has a contract with the FDA to inspect the mammography facilities in New Jersey. The MQSA inspectors must be certified by the FDA. The certified inspectors have six weeks of training and must pass written and practical examinations. New Jersey has four certified MQSA inspectors.