Re: LEAD APRONS: TIME FOR CHANGE ???

[John Jacobus <crispy_bird@YAHOO.COM>]

This issue was brought up on the Health Physics

Society's "Ask the Expert" Web site. See

http://hps.org/publicinformation/ate/q3422.html

As noted in the answer, it is too simply to conclude

that female are at an increased risk of breast cancer

from ill-filling leaded aprons, since many female

technologist are not having their breast irradiated to

higher levels than the rest of their body. It also

clear in the answer that some types of leaded aprons

do provide additional shielding.  



--- Lori White <white@chipshot.net> wrote:

> Standard lead protective "aprons" used by medical

> radiologic technologists have not changed

> appreciably in many decades.  They all follow the

> same open-sleeve or sleeveless pattern.  Standard

> open-sleeve aprons offer very poor protection to the

> lateral breast and axillary region of women,

> particularly large-breasted women.  Leaded rubber

> does not drape well or conform to the upper female

> anatomy, tending to buckle-open, generally

> proportional to the breast size of the wearer. 

> Clearly, standard apron design contributes to

> (preventable) occupational exposure of the female

> breast and axillary region.  This realization,

> viewed in regard to conclusions of the U.S.

> Radiologic Technologist Health Study, 1983-1998,

> that increased breast cancer among female radiologic

> technologists may be due to occupational exposure,

> indicates the need for ALARA-based corrective

> actions in standard safety practices.  While

> occupational exposure of the female breast due to

> apron design cannot be designated the primary cause

> for increased incidence of breast cancer, it must be

> acknowledged as a contributor to study findings.

> 

> J White





=====

+++++++++++++++++++

""A fanatic is one who cannot change his mind and won't change the subject."  Winston Churchill



-- John

John Jacobus, MS

Certified Health Physicist

e-mail:  crispy_bird@yahoo.com



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