1. Shoe-Fitting Fluoroscopes Radioactivity and Effects By Sarah Wascura

2. Case Study Gerda Roehler Fenstermaker Shoe store clerk 1940’s and 1950’s Farr’s shoe store, Allentown Utilized shoe-fitting fluoroscopes Breast cancer in 1971 And again in 2003 No family history – Blame?

3. Local Fluoroscopes Allentown and Quakertown Farr’s, Leh’s, Hinkel & Biehn Novelty item used to show how foot bones fit in shoes Local workers have said to have battles with cancer Coincidence?

4. Cancerous Link Radiation proven to alter cell structure High levels shown to mutate cells Low levels used as cancer treatment Approximately 75% of breast cancer in the US is traced to radiation exposure Mostly medical X-rays

5. X-rays are bad? Women who have a history with radiation exposure tend to avoid more No dental X-rays No diagnostic X-rays IMPORTANT: No mammograms

6. 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?

7. So what is a fluoroscope? Medical equipment in doctor’s offices Used to see movement inside the body Organs Bones Used today to assist in the movement of catheters into organs Upper gastrointestinal tract tests account for almost half of all fluoroscopy use

8. 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

9. Components X-ray tube is in the base of the cabinet Platform above tube to place foot Aluminum filter between foot and X-ray tube 3 eyepieces: one for child, parent, and shoe clerk

10. The Shoe-Fitting Fluoroscope Eyepieces at top Ledge for foot to rest

11. Intention “Scientifically” fit shoes to feet

12. Radiation Doses Average dose of radiation 38.4 R per minute High doses 100-350 R per minute

13. Controlling Radiation Factors to control: Output of X-ray tube Thickness of filters Distance Time and number of exposures Intensity switches Push-button timer (20-30 seconds)

14. 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

15. 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