Shoe-Fitting Fluoroscopes

Radioactivity and Effects

By Sarah Wascura

Case Study

Gerda Roehler FenstermakerShoe store clerk 1940’s and 1950’s

Farr’s shoe store, AllentownUtilized shoe-fitting fluoroscopes Breast cancer in 1971And again in 2003No family history – Blame?

Local Fluoroscopes

Allentown and QuakertownFarr’s, Leh’s, Hinkel & Biehn

Novelty item used to show how foot bones fit in shoes

Local workers have said to have battles with cancerCoincidence?

Cancerous Link

Radiation proven to alter cell structureHigh levels shown to mutate cellsLow levels used as cancer treatment

Approximately 75% of breast cancer in the US is traced to radiation exposureMostly medical X-rays

X-rays are bad?

Women who have a history with radiation exposure tend to avoid moreNo dental X-rays

No diagnostic X-rays

IMPORTANT: No mammograms

The BIG Question

Is there a proper link between X-rays and cancer?

Or is it that women who have been exposed to X-rays do not seek proper preventative measures against breast cancer?

So what is a fluoroscope?

Medical equipment in doctor’s officesUsed to see movement inside the body

OrgansBones

Used today to assist in the movement of catheters into organs

Upper gastrointestinal tract tests account for almost half of all fluoroscopy use

Mainstream Transition

Used after WWI to assess soldier’s feet while still inside boots

Introduced into society to test the fit of shoes in shoe stores

Children and adults could see bones of feet inside shoes – novel concept

Components

X-ray tube is in the base of the cabinetPlatform above tube to place foot

Aluminum filter between foot and X-ray tube3 eyepieces: one for child, parent, and

shoe clerk

The Shoe-Fitting Fluoroscope

Eyepieces at top

Ledge for foot to rest

Intention

“Scientifically” fit shoes to feet

Radiation Doses

Average dose of radiation38.4 R per minute

High doses100-350 R per minute

Controlling Radiation

Factors to control:Output of X-ray tubeThickness of filtersDistanceTime and number of exposures

Intensity switchesPush-button timer (20-30 seconds)

Regulation

American Standards Association regulated dose to 2 R per 5 second exposure

Children should have no more than 3 exposures in a day

No more than 12 per year

The Demise

Due to health hazards, the shoe-fitting fluoroscope was all but gone by the early 1970’s

Since then, clerks have wondered how their lives have been affected by this radiation