Module 6 Protection of the Radiation Worker

Scattered radiation

The kind of radiation that ppses biological hazard to the technologists

Image intensification

Should be provided on all stationary fluoroscopic equipment

Proper collimation of the beam

Limiting the X-ray beam size to smallest area as possible

does not only protect the patient but the radiation worker

as well.

Use of protective barrier

Radiologic technologist must always stay behind the

protective barrier during exposure

Use of other shielding materials

Whenever the use of protective barrier is not permissible,

the radiation workers must exercise the use of other

shielding materials such as lead aprons, lead gloves, thyroid shields and other protective devices

Lead aprons

- available in many sizes and shapes

- usually are constructed of lead impregnated vinyl

- Some are impregnated with tin or other metals

because other metals have some advantages over lead

as a shielding material in the diagnostic x-ray energy

range

Lead gloves

• usually provide 0.5 mm Pb eq protection.

• Made of lead-loaded rubber which are very thin to permit flexibility and dexterity

• They lack the attenuation of regular lead gloves

Mobile shields

– are devices that provide equal protection as the protective barrier and can be moved around the room. It is usually use during angiography exam so that physicians can step behind the barrier during rapid filming.

Thyroid shields

used during fluoroscopy which reduces

the dose by a fraction of about 10. Radiation-induced

thyroid tumors are four times more likely to occur in

females than in males. Thus, women may feel a greater

need to wear thyroid shields.

eyewear

has been recommended for the

protection of eyes from the cataractogenic effect of

radiation. Radiation-shielding glasses are made of

material of high atomic number such as lead and barium

which usually provides 0.75 mm Pb eq of protection.

Thickness (mm) Attenuation(%)

0.50 99.9

0.25 99

0.50 99

0.35 99

0.25. 99

Thickness and attenuation of Apparels

Apron

gloves

Thyroid

Glasses

Fluoroscopic Drape

X-ray technologists

should stay away from the source of

radiation whenever possible during fluoroscopy and

mobile radiography.

not hold

Persons who regularly work in the radiological department should __ patients during X-ray examination.

brachytherapy applications

In radiation oncology the pregnant technologist may continue

her normal workload but should be advised not to participate

in __.