The Customs officers who operate this equipment are experts, men and women who put safety first, and who are careful to limit their exposure to radiation in every case to a safe and even conservative level: 1/50th the amount allowed for radiation workers in hospitals and industry.

Although the x-ray systems used by Customs cause little or no radiation exposure to their operators, Customs still provides training to the inspectors who use them.

The Customs radiation safety program relies on a concept called "As Low As Reasonably Achievable" (ALARA). Complying with ALARA means that officials responsible for ensuring the safety of operators and the public pay close attention to factors like the distance between the operator and the radiation source, the duration of exposure, and the provision of adequate shielding. Customs also pays careful attention to matching off-the-shelf technology to specific operational needs.

But the effort doesn't end there. The Offices of Field Operations and (OFO) and Information and Technology (OIT) personnel conduct a rigid evaluation to verify that the equipment they've chosen is the best equipment available for the job, and that it meets the strictest safety parameters. A Department of Defense testing facility in Arizona runs a series of tests on the new equipment to guarantee that it can detect mock contraband in a field situation. Operators take readings around a new device to discover how much radiation, if any, is released. These tests are important for another reason as well: they let Customs personnel establish the radiation-restricted and exclusion areas for the equipment.

Radiation systems provide the United States Customs Service with a vital, technological edge in carrying out its mission. New systems are appearing regularly, their "reach" and sensitivity promising new levels of security for the nation, and new levels of safety for the people who operate them and those who may be exposed to their effects.

The Radiation Safety Committee The Nuclear Regulatory Commission requires Customs to establish a Radiation Safety Committee. Its mission is to ensure consistency and direction. Today, that committee is chaired by the Customs Safety Manager; other members include the radiation safety officer, and representatives from OFO, OIT, and the National Treasury Employees Union. The committee’s job is a critical one: to ensure that users and supporting partners determine priorities for the radiation safety program.