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Evaluation of the Effects of Radiation from an X-ray Baggage Inspection System on Microbial Agents

During shipping, microbial cultures and clinical samples are subjected to irradiation by x-ray baggage inspection systems and most high-containment laboratories use similar equipment to screen materials prior to admittance. Low-to-medium kiloelectron volt (keV) energy baggage x-ray inspection systems are used for this purpose. However, the effect of the x-ray exposure that occurs during the screening session on the viability of microbial agents or the radiation's ability to induce damage to their genomes is unknown. This study was undertaken to determine if the x-ray screening process has any deleterious effects on microbial viability or if it causes mutations to their genome. A total of 11 microorganisms, including bacteria, bacterial spores, yeast, and viruses, were screened with a baggage x-ray inspection system. No evidence of loss of viability was observed. The Ames test was used to determine the extent of radiation-induced mutations resulting from a baggage inspection system exposure. This study concludes that low-to-medium energy x-ray radiation received from the baggage screening x-ray inspection systems used in security operations does not significantly reduce the viability of microorganisms nor cause mutations in the microbial genome.