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Creating a safe space for your medical practitioners, technicians, and patients is essential, so you have to understand how protective aprons and shields reduce radiation exposure.
Radiation is a form of energy that can have great medical benefits if applied properly. With that said, it’s also important to highlight that radiation can have detrimental effects if exposure is not controlled and monitored closely.
Because of this, it’s essential to always protect patients, medical team members, and other who may be exposed to radiation on a regular basis.
Do Protective Aprons and Shields Reduce Radiation?
You may be asking yourself “protective aprons and shields reduce radiation exposure by how many folds?” and it’s the right mindset.
To answer your question, a lead apron can reduce the amount of radiation your body absorbs by 16 times, but this depends on the type of apron, manufacturer technology, thickness of the lead layer; and other variables.
Lead aprons provide a huge amount of protection. Radiation shields are similar in functionality, but this type of protective personal equipment (PPE) consists of a movable screen that protects against direct as well as scatter radiation.
How Do the Types of Radiation Affect You
If you’re wondering “protective aprons and shields reduce radiation exposure by how much exactly?” it’s important to first understand the types of radiation you may encounter.
The two broadest categories of radiation are ionizing and non-ionizing. For the purpose of this article, we will cover ionizing radiation, which penetrates the body and causes molecular changes in your cells.
These molecular issues may result in health issues, so it’s crucial to provide PPE that can keep your team safe from overexposure.
Lead Provides Protection
If you have encountered claims that protective aprons and shields reduce radiation exposure 10 to 200 fold, you’re probably familiar with lead.
Unlike organic materials, lead is a heavy metal that is so dense that it reflects radiation and provides protection for cells and other biological material.
In other words, you can use lead equipment like aprons, gloves, and even eyewear to protect your organs and help avoid radiation-related health complications.
Radiation Attenuation by Apron Thickness
How much do protective aprons and shields reduce radiation exposure? The answer to that question may vary, but the level of protection should be enough to prevent long-term health issues down the line.
That said, not all aprons are created equal. As a matter of fact, the thickness of the lead (or other reflective layer) within the apron is one of the biggest variables that determine how much protection it provides.
As a general rule of thumb, the thicker the layer, the more protection it provides. While the energy level of the radiation source is another big variable, the lead layer thickness will help determine if the attenuation level is effective or if it requires more protection.
The Importance of Proper Fit and Coverage
Materials and apron thickness are essential when researching lead aprons for your medical facility. And, while it may not seem like it, the fit of the apron is also one of the most important variables.
By ensuring the adequate fit, you’ll reduce the chances of scatter radiation exposure penetrating the body through little gaps, which usually appear in oversized radiation aprons as well as PPE that’s too small for the wearer.
How Radiation Aprons and Shields Reflect Radiation
Let’s take a closer look at how radiation aprons reflect radiation and protect your organs.
Mechanisms of Radiation Reflection and Absorption
Radiation aprons and shields utilize dense materials, like lead or tungsten, to absorb and reflect radiation, preventing it from reaching the wearer. This balance of absorption and deflection minimizes radiation exposure.
Lead and Non-Lead Aprons: Differences in Performance
While both lead and non-lead aprons protect against radiation, lead is denser, offering stronger attenuation. Non-lead aprons are lighter and environmentally friendly but may require thicker layers to match lead’s protection unless they contain a tough metal that provides the same level of protection.
Radiation Scatter: How Shields Reduce Secondary Exposure
Shields, placed strategically in medical environments, intercept scatter radiation, reducing secondary exposure risks. These movable barriers protect healthcare workers from radiation that reflects off surfaces or other patients during procedures as well as diagnostic images.
Best Practices to Stay Protected While Close to Active Radiation Equipment
Now that we understand a little more about how lead interacts with radiation, let’s discuss best practices that help prevent issues associated with overexposure.
Shield Positioning and Apron Fit
As we mentioned earlier, having an apron that is too big or too small can leave gaps in areas around the body.
Likewise, not wearing your apron properly can leave essential organs unprotected. Because of this, your best bet is to evaluate the apron fit and positioning before you purchase any units for your facility.
PPE Maintenance and Additional Steps
Next, you should ensure that your facility has enough PPE for all team members to run your machines at maximum capacity.
If not, you may end up either exposing your team to dangerous situations or cutting corners that can result in fines and other hefty financial penalties.
Training and Education
Last but not least, it’s important for your team to be on the same page about radiation safety and what steps you take to protect every individual within your practice.
The best way to do this is to provide training that touches on both the general mechanics of radiation exposure and to have the experience to connect with medical professionals and speak their language.
In Conclusion
Protective aprons and shields can help create a safe environment for your medical professionals as well as the patients inside of your facility. There are different types of radiation and the level of protection depends heavily on this factor.
That said, protective aprons and shields provide a superb level of protection that can help you combat radiation poisoning and other issues that take place due to overexposure.
Interested in getting the best protective gear for your medical team members? At Barrier Technologies, we manufacture both lead and non-lead radiation aprons. Get in touch with us today if you need more information or would like to know more about purchasing aprons as well as protective shields.
