What PPE Do You Wear for Radiation?
While imaging equipment like X-rays and C-arms are essential in healthcare, their use comes with inherent risks due to the ionizing radiation they emit. That’s why personal protective equipment (PPE) is a staple in medical facilities to ensure a safe environment for clinicians and patients.
According to OSHA, lead aprons, gloves, thyroid collars, and protective eyewear are some of the most essential PPE used in radiology or interventional surgery. These tools shield staff members and reduce unnecessary radiation exposure during procedures.
What PPE Should be Worn for Radiation?
As mentioned, studies consistently point to lead aprons, gloves, thyroid collars, and protective eyewear as key pieces of radiation protection equipment. Here’s a deeper overview of these radiation protection devices in radiology:
Lead aprons: These aprons shield the torso and upper legs from scatter radiation during imaging procedures. Constructed with lead or lead-equivalent materials, they significantly reduce radiation exposure to vital organs. Research indicates they can attenuate scatter radiation by 90% or more.
Thyroid collars: The thyroid gland is particularly sensitive to radiation, so covering it during procedures is crucial. According to one study, a lead apron with a thyroid collar of at least 0.25 mm, but preferably 0.5 mm lead equivalence, can reduce scatter radiation by 95%.
Lead glasses: A 20-year cohort study from the American Journal of Epidemiology showed that prolonged exposure to radiation increases the risk of cataract formation. Therefore, lead glasses should be another staple for radiologists, surgeons, and technologists working in high-exposure environments.
Lead gloves: Lead gloves were created to protect hands during procedures that require close proximity to radiation sources, such as fluoroscopy. That said, the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health noted that while lead gloves offer protection, they may reduce tactile sensitivity. Their use should be balanced with the need for manual dexterity.
To ensure the right protective measures are being deployed, keeping a radiation safety equipment list can be helpful so staff members can check off what they need to be wearing for different types of procedures.
What Should I Wear When Dealing With Radiation?
The appropriate PPE should be tailored to the duration and intensity of exposure. The American College of Radiology emphasizes that consulting with a Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) is vital. They can provide personalized recommendations based on specific exposure assessments.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classify PPE into four categories (PPE Levels A, B, C, and D). Here’s a quick PPE levels chart breaking it down:
What PPE Is Required for Radiology?
Level D PPE is generally the most used in radiology and interventional surgery since there are usually no risks of splashes from contaminated chemicals. Level D PPE includes lead aprons, gloves, glasses, and thyroid collars.
How to Choose the Right Radiation Safety Equipment?
Along with considering the PPE levels 1 to 4, here’s a quick checklist to help you choose the appropriate radiation safety equipment. However, always consult with an RSO on your medical center’s specific needs.
Factors to Consider
The main factors you should consider when choosing PPE are radiation intensity and exposure time.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that both higher intensity and longer exposure times typically require equipment with greater shielding capacities. For instance, high-dose fluoroscopy procedures may require lead aprons with increased lead equivalency.
Material and Style Options
PPE, like lead aprons, may use different materials and styles. Some common options include:
Traditional lead: This is the typical apron with a full lead layer with the usual lead equivalency of 0.25-1 mm.
Lightweight lead: Lightweight lead is made by combining lead with combine lead with other radiation-absorbing materials like tungsten, tin, and bismuth. Alternative materials are lighter than lead, which can help reduce fatigue during medical procedures.
Lead-free: PPE that only uses alternative materials like tin and bismuth. Wearable equipment like lead-free aprons will be much lighter, and studies show they perform similarly at low radiation intensities. However, as intensity increases, traditional lead tends to outperform them.
You may also choose between wraparound aprons covering the back and aprons only offering frontal coverage. If clinicians will have their backs turned to the radiation source often during procedures, most research recommends wraparound options to provide sufficient protection.
Ensure Your Radiation PPE Is Safe and Compliant with RCS
PPE like lead aprons, thyroid collars, and leaded gloves is essential for healthcare safety—but these protective devices are only effective when properly maintained.
Regular inspection of lead aprons in medical facilities is crucial for ensuring safety. Annual checks, with extra inspections for minor defects, help prevent significant wear and tear. A study found that aprons with small defects can experience a tear increase of over 270% within 10 months. In one facility, 3.1% of inspected aprons had defects causing unsafe radiation exposure. These findings support the importance of consistent inspections and reasonable rejection criteria to maintain safety standards without excessive waste.
At Radiological Care Services (RCS), we specialize in lead apron cleaning, sanitizing, inspecting, and repairing wearable protective equipment to ensure it performs at its best. Regular maintenance extends the life of your PPE and keeps your facility compliant with safety standards.
Our team also conducts thorough X-ray scans of lead aprons to identify defects invisible to the naked eye, ensuring your team is always protected.
Don’t let worn or contaminated PPE compromise safety. Contact RCS today to schedule service and elevate your facility’s radiation safety standards.
