In medical diagnostics,protective lead aprons,lead gloves and lead thyroid shields contain lead to shield the wearer from radiation.Lead aprons and other lead clothing are placed between the person being protected and the x-ray source(for example,radiographic or fluoroscopic x-ray units,CT scanners,etc.).
X-rays will be scattered by the large lead atoms,leading to an exponential reduction in transmission energy.So the lead apron protects people by absorbing the x-ray energy before the x ray can get to the body and cause damage to the sensitive organs.
In this article we discuss the need for lead shielding for patient and technician in the medical industry and the availability of lead aprons,lead gloves and other lead safety clothing from Nuclead
When are Lead Garments(Lead Aprons,Lead shields,etc.)worn?
Lead garments are generally worn by technicians who would otherwise be exposed to radiation as part of their jobs and by patients to protect areas that are not of interest at the time of the X-ray.For example in the dentist office the patient will often be covered by a apron while the teeth are X-rayed.
In most cases if the proper procedures are followed,then the use of aprons,shields and other garments may be unnecessary,however for peace of mind of the patient and to eliminate risk particularly for patients of reproductive age shields are typically used.Aprons reduce the radiation dose to the reproductive organs from a variety of diagnostic x-ray procedures.Radiation has a potential of causing mutations that may be passed on to future generations.
As a general rule,regulations mandate the protection of the gonad area so in some cases a small lead shield is used in this area.The amount of radiation that scatters within the body is very small away from the area x rayed and would add a negligible amount of exposure to an amount that was very small to start with.In the case of pediatric patients particularly a gonadal lead shield is added as a precaution.
Lead shields are also used to protect the thyroid area even though risk is low.Thyroid shieldsare a cost effective and easy method to reduce radiation dose to this sensitive area.
In general only the various radiosensitive critical organs such as breast,active bone marrow,lungs,thyroid,bone surfaces,and,to a lesser degree,various other organs in the trunk of the body,need to be protected from diagnostic x-rays.Therefore,a lead apron that goes to the mid-thigh will be sufficient to protect the sensitive organs.
A wrap-around or coat type of lead apron can reduce exposure of the bone marrow in the spinal column.Also,half lead aprons are commonly used behind the patient during a standing chest X-ray.This is to prevent additional radiation exposure from backscattered electrons from the room walls and the X-ray tube.
Technicians will not be required to wear lead aprons or other lead clothing if there are lead shields available that can provide protection.Also a lead apron does not have to be worn,so long as it is between the user and the radiation source.It would work just as well if it were suspended from the ceiling or draped over a support so the radiologist could stand behind it.
Construction of Aprons and other garments
Lead shielding metal is homogeneously mixed with synthetic rubber or polyvinyl chloride(PVC).Between two and five thin sheets of metal-impregnated rubber/PVC are placed between sheets of nylon fabric coated with urethane on the side against the lead-impregnated rubber/vinyl.The materials are cut into a pattern and sewn together to form the protective garment.
The number of sheets,the percentage of metal,the grade of rubber or PVC,and the mixture of metals varies depending on the factors such as flexibility,durability,radiation absorption efficiency,and weight..A lead apron between a patient and the x-ray machine will stop at least 90%of the incident radiation.
Lead aprons and other lead garments are likely to continue to be more prevalent than protective clothing that use other metals,due cost and weight considerations.
One metal that is sometimes used is titanium.A Lead apron may contain 0.5mm thickness of lead,to achieve similar radiation attenuation using titanium will require over 0.8cm or 15 times the thickness and over 6 times the weight.In addition lead is relatively inexpensive,even considering the need to treat lead garments as hazardous when they are disposed of.
Care and Use of Aprons and Gloves
Lead clothing is only effective if there are no tears in the apron or gaps in the shielding.As a result regulation standards require that medical facilities develop inspection procedures and replacement policies for all their lead shielding and other radiation protection garments.The frequency of these inspections will depend on how often the lead shields are used,and also how they are stored when not in use and a lead apron will typically last longer when stored on a hanger than if stored folded or piled up.
Lead aprons should be checked fluoroscopically at least on an annual basis for their shielding integrity.Rejecting an apron depends on the location,area size and number of flaws.It is best to keep the number of flaws to a minimum.
Lead aprons should be stored on a hanger and cleaned daily.
Lead safety clothing for x-ray shielding and radiation shielding protection from Nuclead
The NCRP has established maximal permissible doses for persons who receive occupational exposure.The NRC has suggested that occupational exposure be as low as reasonably achievable.Three principles of radiation protection are:Increase distance from the source,Reduce exposure time and wear shielding and protective products.Nuclead provides protective products to comply with NCRP recommendations.
Here are some examples:
Lead aprons:
Vinyl aprons are flexible and easily cleaned,with lead shielding of 0.3 or 0.5mm of thickness.
Lead Neck Collars(Lead thyroid shields):
These lead shields have 0.3mm lead shielding protection for this important area of the body.There is no top binding so the collar is more comfortable and flexible against the skin.
Lead gloves:
One piece molded design with a soft exterior.Covers and removes easily to inspect the protective qualities of the leaded core.Theses gloves feature a breathable nylon liner for comfort,and come in small medium or larger sizes.Lead shielding,in these gloves is.25mm,.35mm or.5mm thickness
Conclusion
Lead protective clothing is necessary in the medical diagnostics field,to protect both patients and technicians.
Nuclead has available a wide range of radiation shielding garments available to ship from stock.
