Waste Management Program
Division of Environmental Quality
P.O. Box 176
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0176
United States
Waste Management Program
fact sheetDivision of Environmental Quality
Director: Kyra MooreThis fact sheet provides guidance for medical, veterinary, dental and numerous other facilities that must dispose of old x-ray equipment.
First, it is important to note x-rays are produced only when the equipment is energized, and there is no radioactive material in the equipment that can produce radiation. There are no radiation hazards if the x-ray equipment’s electrical power is turned off or disconnected.
There is no radiation hazard associated with old x-ray equipment, but there are potential disposal issues. Some older x-ray equipment (manufactured prior to July 2, 1979) may have cooling oil around the x-ray and rectifier tubes that contains polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). This oil was used in some x-ray equipment transformers, tubes and capacitors to aid in insulation. This is considered a hazardous waste if the amount of PCBs are above a certain level. If your equipment is one of these older models with PCBs, there could be a disposal problem. An x-ray service company may be able to advise you on whether your equipment contains PCBs.
If you are trying to dispose of this type of equipment, you should contact the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Hazardous Waste Program for guidance at:
Missouri Department of Natural Resources
PO Box 176
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0176
Phone: 573-751-7560 OR 800-334-6946
There are several ways in which the registrant may dispose of radiation-producing equipment which do not contain PCBs:
Missouri law also requires all radiation-producing equipment to be registered with the Missouri Radiation Control Program (MRCP) within the Missouri Department of Health and Human Services (DHSS) regardless of the usage status (i.e., operational, not-in-use, etc.). Registration status will only be terminated when a registrant no longer possesses the radiation-producing equipment.
When a registrant is no longer in possession of radiation-producing equipment, transfers possession or renders the equipment nonfunctional, the registrant must notify the MRCP in writing. These links provide additional information from the DHSS on this topic:
Radiation Control and Radiation Machine Registration and Compliance.
You may contact the MRCP at:
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
PO Box 570
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0570
Phone: 573-751-6083
Fax: 573-751-6158
Email: mrcp@health.mo.gov
Nothing in this document may be used to implement any enforcement action or levy any penalty unless promulgated by rule under chapter 536 or authorized by statute.
Division of Environmental Quality
P.O. Box 176
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0176
United States