Wrap-around types of aprons have front and back protection and must cover from the shoulder blades to below the buttocks. Īprons must cover the full width of the front of the body from the throat to within 10 cm of the knees, as well as the sides of the body. Most of the protective aprons generally have shielding equivalence between 0.25 and 0.5 mm with attenuating property of 90%–95% of scatter radiation reaching them and may be having a front protection side only or may be wrapped around (front and back protection). They are generally made of different thicknesses depending on their purpose. , Ī lead/lead-free protective apron is a material made of lead-impregnated vinyl or rubber, that is capable of attenuating incident (primary) or scatter radiation (secondary) striking it. Studies have shown that interventional examinations are associated with higher radiation dose compared to routine conventional imaging. In most of the intervention studies, the eye lens, thyroid, and gonads are shielded because of their radiosensitivity nature. Most of the interventional X-ray procedures require the use of lead/lead-free protective apron to shield radiation worker from the harmful effect of secondary (scatter) radiation. Usually, the scattering effect of X-ray is mostly dependent on the volume of the tissue, kilovoltage (kV), density of matter, and X-ray field size. ,, In many occasions, in interventional studies, the radiologist/physician is proximal to the patient. Two major reasons for using protective aprons are because of its effectiveness in shielding vital organs arising from primary radiation to the patient and the effect of scatter radiation that is produced from the patient which reaches the personnel. The aim of shielding is to reduce dose to vital organs, arising from either primary or secondary radiation. ,, Shielding of radiosensitive organs that may be at risk has been well-documented, and the reduction of scatter radiation to personnel has been much dealt with. The use of X-ray and other forms of ionizing radiation (gamma-rays and alpha- and beta-particles) has progressively increased over the years for radiological investigation. Radiographic assessment of protective aprons and dose simulation to personnel. How to cite this URL: Omojola AD, Akpochafor MO, Adeneye SO, Aniekop UP. How to cite this article: Omojola AD, Akpochafor MO, Adeneye SO, Aniekop UP. Keywords: Electronic dosimeter, hysterosalpingogram, lead apron, protective apron, scatter radiation, shielded air kerma, thermoluminescent dosimeters, unshielded air kerma Conclusion: Estimated equivalent skin dose per year to a physician with 0.25, 0.35, and 0.50 mm protective aprons was below 500 mSv/year, and the mean percentage absorbance for 0.25 mm protective aprons was seen to be below 90%. There was no statistically significant difference in mean percentage absorbance for 0.25 mm protective aprons, compared to other studies ( P = 0.981). Absorbance for 0.35 and 0.50 mm protective aprons was ≥94%. The mean estimated dose/procedure was 65.69–347.56 μSv, and the estimated mean dose per year for 0.25, 0.35, and 0.50 mm protective aprons was 35,592, 9689, and 7900 μSv/year, respectively. One out of the four aprons was rejected because it exceeded the 670 mm criteria for acceptance. Results: Two out of the four aprons were defective (50%). This position was assumed to be where a physician would stand during the procedure. The second phase involved the use of a plastic phantom to produce scatter, a wooden T-stand to hold the apron, which was positioned 1.6 m diagonally from the X-ray collimator. The first phase involved the radiographic exposure of the protective aprons. Materials and Methods: This study used a functional mobile X-ray unit, four protective aprons, a measuring tape, an electronic dosimeter and a locally designed phantom as materials. Aim and Objective: The aim of the study was to carry out the radiographic assessment of four protective aprons (denoted A–D), to check for tear, crack, or pressure marks and to simulate what the equivalent dose rate, dose/procedure, percentage absorbance, and transmission factor (TF) would be if a physician is to perform hysterosalpingogram (HSG), for which he/she will be averagely exposed twice/procedure. This, in turn, leads to crack, tear, hole, and creases on the apron, which may lead to distortion in the attenuating property and hence reduction in efficiency. Background: Studies have shown that protective aprons are carelessly handled after working hours.
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