02/05/2016
Lead aprons have been ubiquitous in the radiology field for decades. If you were to ask the average person on the street what material is used to protect clinicians against scatter radiation, the most common answer would undoubtedly be "Lead?" The question mark indicates uncertainty, but it also hints that there may be other, lesser known materials which offer scatter radiation protection when constructed within radiology apparel.
Lead is a great protection tool, but there are downsides. Cheap and plentiful, lead is the most economical solution to scatter radiation. But it's also very heavy. Many lead aprons weigh well over 10 pounds. This might not sound like much, but this can be a grueling weight to carry during long procedures, or for people with a smaller frame. The good news is that lead isn't the only option for scatter radiation protection. Even so, many people within the field of radiology don't seem to have gotten that memo.
Alternatives to Lead for Scatter Radiation
The weight of an old-fashioned lead apron can cause musculoskeletal problems when worn long term. Lead is also tricky to dispose of, and is toxic to the body if ingested. Non-lead alloys have been in use for many years now, and are common enough to be used in radiology accessories like lead aprons and thyroid collars without being prohibitively expensive.
LMG - Lead was the go-to for scatter radiation because 1) it worked, and 2) you could dig it out of the ground. Today, manufacturers like Techno- Aide utilize other alloys with the same protective properties as lead. The example we offer is LMG Media.
LMG Media is a proprietary blend of Antimony and Tungsten. These two elements protect against radiation at the precise wavelengths produced by radiologic imaging procedures. They excel this way, while being much lighter than lead. What's more, our LMG can be recycled or even incinerated! That's because there are no toxic heavy metals incorporated into it. Techno-Aide has been selling LMG radiology accessories and apparel for ten years. Though it is more expensive to produce aprons of this variety than their traditional lead counterparts, the weight and environmental differences are worth it to many of our customers.
Light Weight Lead - Lead is lead, but there is wiggle room regarding how much of it must be present within a standard piece of protective radiology apparel. We include .5mm of lead in all standard products, like our lead aprons and thyroid collars. We sometimes make these same products with .375mm of lead instead, for customers who want a little less weight. This is still well within most regulatory limits, and performs at the highest levels of quality in testing.
Sometimes you don't know how a garment feels until you've worn it for many hours. If you feel weighed down by the lead aprons in your arsenal, try one of the Vet Xray Store's lighter alternatives. If you manage inventory that is used by many people, ask them how they feel about the weight of lead. The Vet X-ray Store can help your department take a load off, while still providing the vital radiation protection you depend upon. Visit us today to replace your heavy apron. www.vetxraystore.com