In healthcare and radiology settings
In healthcare and radiology settings, a major concern for both medical personnel and the patient is exposure to ionizing radiation. It is known that short exposure to high doses of ionizing radiation can lead to temporary health issues like hair fall, skin redness, nausea, vomiting, or acute radiation syndrome/radiation sickness. Moreover, frequent exposure to ionizing radiation may cause serious, long-term effects like skin damage, cataracts, cardiovascular disease, infertility, and cancer. Thankfully, there are safety measures and protective equipment available to protect an individual’s body from the harmful effects of ionizing radiation. One of the essential protective equipment for radiation protection is the lead apron. Kiran Medical Systems is a well-established industry manufacturing and delivering lead aprons.
Lead aprons: types, uses, and benefits
In this post, we will be learning about lead aprons-its types, uses, and benefits. Read on to learn more and make sure that you take precautions by wearing a lead apron before any radiation-related diagnosis or therapeutic procedure.
What is a lead apron?
A lead apron is a specialized defensive garment with a front panel designed using lead or lead composite materials. It is worn to shield the body from harmful ionizing radiations like X-rays and gamma rays, minimizing damage to radiosensitive tissues and vital organs. A typical lead apron has a head protector, a face shield, a front cover, an arm and shoulder cover, a lower shield, and a belt.
Different types of lead aprons
Lead aprons are of various kinds, each varying in their application and level of radiation protection. The main different types include:
- Standard lead aprons – At the time of routine X-rays and radiological procedures in healthcare and dental settings, the most commonly worn are standard lead aprons.
- Lightweight lead aprons – In case of extended exposure to ionizing radiation during interventional radiology and fluoroscopy procedures where mobility is important for the medical personnel, a comfortable, lightweight lead apron is worn.
- Wrap-around (cape) lead aprons – These are usually worn for mammography to protect the upper body.
- Lead aprons skirt and vest combinations – Where a high dose of exposure to ionizing radiation is there as in interventional radiology procedures, such aprons provide adequate protection to the whole body.
- Thyroid collars – These are specially designed lead aprons with additional neck/collar protection for the thyroid gland, one of the radiosensitive areas of the body. Usually, they are worn for dental X-rays or certain medical imaging procedures.
Where are lead aprons used?
Lead aprons are worn in a variety of medical procedures in healthcare or radiological settings where it is crucial to have a proper shield for ionizing radiation. Some common procedures where lead aprons are employed and the types of lead aprons used in each are as follows:
- Diagnostic X-rays (commonly of the bone and chest) – Standard lead aprons
- Dental X-rays – Standard lead aprons along with thyroid collars
- Radiation therapy – Standard lead aprons
- Fluoroscopic procedures like angiography and gastrointestinal studies – Lightweight lead aprons
- Interventional radiology procedures – Lead aprons skirt and vest combination
- Nuclear medicine – Lead aprons worn while conducting scans or handling radioactive materials
- Cardiac catheterization procedures – Poncho-style lead aprons
Benefits of using lead aprons
Lead aprons provide multiple advantages, including:
- Maximal radiation protection – Lead aprons can block 90% to 95% of scattered ionizing radiation and protect the vital organs and sensitive tissues of the medical personnel and patient against a maximum of radioactive rays.
- Minimal risk of cancers or other serious medical concerns – Radiation exposure for prolonged periods or at high doses can lead to many serious issues, including cancer. Lead aprons prevent them from happening.
- Protection of radio-sensitive areas of the body – Be it the thyroid gland, the eyes, heart, lungs, kidneys, chest, or reproductive organs, bad impact on the health or functioning of these organs can be prevented by wearing lead aprons.
- Comfort – Some lead aprons like lightweight aprons are designed such that they are comfortable to wear and hypoallergenic to the wearer.
- Increased productivity/proficiency of the medical personnel – When medical personnel wear comfortable lead aprons and have no more concern about experiencing the harmful effects of ionizing radiation, they can be more focused on performing their duties and responsibilities and become more satisfied.