Omar Khalid
Plastic is a common material in manufacturing and consumer products. However, it is undesirable in food products, and plastic contamination has been on the rise. X-ray technology is a reliable method for detecting foreign objects in food, including some plastics. The detectability of plastics depends on the type of plastic and the X-ray system used. Advanced X-ray systems, such as those using triple beam architecture or Material Discrimination X-ray (MDX) technology, can improve the detection of plastics. In the medical field, X-ray detectable plastics are also important for distinguishing surgical apparatus from surrounding bone and tissue.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastics showing up on X-ray | Engineering plastics do not show up well on X-ray unless they have been modified to be more opaque. |
| Plastics in food | X-ray detection is a reliable method to detect plastic contaminants in food. |
| Density | The density of plastics is similar to that of water, making it harder to detect. |
| Advanced X-ray systems | Advanced X-ray systems like MDX triple beam architecture and smarter software algorithms improve the detectability of plastics. |
| Medical applications | Medical-grade plastics with good visibility and radiography are available, e.g., TECAPEEK MT XRO (PEEK) and TECASON P MT XRO (PPSU). |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic contamination in food
Plastic is a key material in manufacturing and is used in a wide array of consumer and industrial products. Unfortunately, this means that unwanted plastic contaminants can end up inside packaged goods. Plastic contaminants can come in a variety of forms, such as gaskets, o-rings, scraper blades, pens, safety glasses, bandages, and gloves.
X-ray detection has proven to be one of the most reliable ways of detecting foreign objects in food packaging, such as metal, glass, bones, and stones. However, not all plastics are detectable by standard X-ray systems. Advanced X-ray systems, such as those that use triple beam architecture or MDX technology, can improve the detectability of plastics. These systems work by splitting the X-ray into multiple beams to eliminate blind spots or by identifying materials using atomic numbers rather than density.
Despite these advancements, there are still challenges in detecting all plastics due to their varying characteristics and densities. Some plastics have densities close to that of water, making them particularly difficult to detect in X-ray inspections.
To reduce exposure to plastic contamination in food, experts recommend drinking tap water from glass or stainless steel containers and limiting the consumption of foods packaged in plastic. Washing rice can also help reduce plastic contamination and the presence of arsenic. While the human body can eliminate bisphenols and phthalates, constant exposure can lead to their presence in the blood and tissue. More research is needed to fully understand the health effects of plastic contamination in food and to develop standardized methods for detecting and regulating these contaminants.
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Limitations of standard x-rays
While X-rays are a vital imaging tool, standard X-rays do have some limitations. Firstly, they may not always detect certain materials, such as plastics, which are commonly used in manufacturing and consumer products. This can lead to plastic contamination in food products, posing a danger to public health and significant costs to companies. Although X-ray technology has improved, with advanced systems like triple beam architecture and MDX technology, standard X-ray machines may still struggle to identify certain low-density plastics.
Another limitation of standard X-rays is their potential impact on patient safety. X-rays are a form of radiation that can pass through the body and create detailed images of internal structures. However, this radiation can be absorbed by the body, and there are concerns about its possible long-term effects, including an increased risk of cancer due to DNA alterations. While the benefits of X-rays are considered to outweigh the risks, it is crucial to minimise patient exposure, especially in the case of children, where CT scans have been linked to an elevated risk of cancer.
Portable and mobile X-ray machines also have limitations. These devices may require longer exposure times, increasing the radiation dose to patients and potentially causing image blur. The instability of the X-ray tubes in these machines can lead to repeat imaging, further increasing patient exposure to radiation. Additionally, the inconsistent source-to-image distance can affect anatomy magnification, impacting the accuracy of the examination.
Furthermore, standard X-rays have limitations in terms of effective dose assessment. The International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) Report 103 highlights that quantifying medical exposure is challenging due to the variability in effective doses across different patients and body areas being examined. This variability is influenced by factors such as a person's height, weight, and the specific procedure being performed. Therefore, it is essential to individualise each patient's exposure and minimise radiation doses to adhere to the principles of ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable).
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Advanced x-ray systems
X-ray technology has come a long way since its discovery by Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen in 1895, and it remains the most widely available, fastest, and most cost-effective medical imaging modality today. X-rays are also used in industries such as food manufacturing and security.
While standard X-ray systems have their limitations, advanced X-ray systems are being developed to detect materials that others cannot. For example, the TDI Packsys system can detect plastic contaminants that other systems miss. This is especially important in the food industry, where plastic contamination has been increasing.
MDX technology, originally developed for security applications, is now used in food manufacturing to detect plastic contaminants. It does this by simplifying X-ray imagery and identifying materials by atomic number rather than density.
In the medical field, X-ray detectable plastics are used for tools and trial sizes where clear visibility is advantageous. For example, Ensinger's TECAPEEK MT XRO (PEEK) and TECASON P MT XRO (PPSU) are medical-grade plastics with good visibility and radiography. A contrast medium added to these plastics allows for clear visibility of components under fluoroscopy and X-ray radiation, providing surgeons with precise images during image-controlled procedures.
Dynamic Digital Radiography (DDR) is another advanced X-ray system that captures up to 15 sequential radiographs per second, allowing clinicians to observe physiological movement and diagnose conditions more quickly. DDR can also be used to assess spine stability and joint motion, providing a detailed view of the full range of motion.
X-ray technology continues to evolve, with companies like GE HealthCare incorporating AI and automation features to enhance diagnostic imaging and speed up the process. Advanced X-ray systems are also being developed to exploit spectral dependencies, providing more molecularly specific information that is particularly useful in oncological precision radiology.
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Medical-grade plastics
Plastic is a versatile material that is widely used in manufacturing, including in the medical field. Medical-grade plastics are used to create medical products such as MRI casings, plastic syringes, and prosthetics. These plastics are biocompatible, making them safe for use in medical components that come into contact with the human body and circulation system. They are also non-permeable, preventing the growth of disease-causing organisms.
The versatility of medical-grade plastics extends to their use in disposable medical products, including bedpans, inhalation masks, IV tubes, pill casings, and internal implants like catheters and joint replacements. They are also used in tamper-proof caps to ensure the security of pharmaceuticals. Furthermore, advancements in 3D printing and injection molding have made it possible to create personalized, lightweight, and comfortable prosthetics for amputees.
The detection of plastics in X-ray imaging is important not only in the medical field but also in food safety. Advanced X-ray systems, such as triple beam architecture and MDX technology, improve the detectability of plastics. These technologies are crucial for identifying plastic contaminants in food products, ensuring consumer safety, and preventing costly recalls for companies.
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Ultrasound for plastic detection
X-rays have been a reliable technology for detecting foreign objects, including plastics. However, there are limitations to what standard x-rays can detect. Advanced x-ray systems, such as MDX technology, can improve the detectability of plastics. This technology works by simplifying x-ray imagery and identifying materials by atomic number rather than density.
Ultrasound technology has also been explored as a method for detecting plastics and other foreign objects in the body. Ultrasound is useful for screening superficial foreign bodies in human tissue. It has been used in pediatric cases to detect ingested foreign bodies, and can be used to guide the placement of medical equipment such as catheters and tubes. Ultrasound is also useful for detecting foreign bodies in soft tissue, and can be used post-mortem.
The visibility of plastic varies on conventional radiography and computed tomography, depending on the composition of the plastic. However, all types of plastic are well visualized on ultrasound. Ultrasound technology has the added benefit of being flexible and mobile, allowing for the examination of sick patients with minimal disturbance.
In the food industry, x-ray technology is used to detect plastic contaminants during food quality inspection. Ultrasound technology has also been used to detect plastic in food products, as well as optical and metal characteristics.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic can show up on X-rays, but it depends on the type of plastic and the X-ray system being used. Standard X-ray systems are generally unable to detect low-density plastics, but advanced X-ray systems, such as those using MDX technology, can detect certain low-density plastics.
Plastic contamination in consumable products can endanger the public and cost companies a significant amount of money in product recalls and reputation damage. X-rays are used to detect plastic contaminants in food and other products to improve consumer safety and reduce the likelihood of costly recalls.
Higher-density plastics are generally easier to detect using X-ray systems. Examples of higher-density plastics include PTFE (Teflon) and Viton. Additionally, plastics with inorganic fillers or compounds such as chlorine, bromine, or fluorine may be more detectable by X-ray systems, especially those using MDX technology.
