What should be done with expired or damaged x-ray film?

Expired or damaged x-ray film should be disposed of according to regulatory guidelines to ensure safety and compliance with health regulations. It is important to follow these guidelines because expired film may not produce reliable diagnostic images, leading to potential misdiagnosis or inadequate treatment planning. Furthermore, improper disposal could pose a risk to the environment and public health.

Adhering to regulatory guidelines also helps maintain professional standards and protects the practice from potential liabilities associated with the use of defective materials. Compliance ensures that all waste, including hazardous materials, is dealt with appropriately, in accordance with local and federal regulations. This process often includes proper labeling, containment, and disposal methods to prevent exposure to radiation and contamination.

The other choices are not advisable as they could compromise safety and regulatory compliance. Refrigerating expired film does not restore its efficacy, using it for practice imaging could result in incorrect techniques becoming ingrained, and keeping it for archival purposes does not serve any beneficial purpose since the film is no longer reliable for diagnosis.