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Re: LEAD APRONS: TIME FOR CHANGE ???



Before starting to redesign the standard lead apron, someone should do a

study to look at the actual exposures of female radiologic

technologists.  This could be just a hypothetical problem.



In any event, the portion of the whole body receiving the highest

exposure is considered the deep dose, and must be a factor in the

calculation if the licensee uses effective dose.



The opinions expressed are strictly mine.

It's not about dose, it's about trust.

Curies forever.



Bill Lipton

liptonw@dteenergy.com



"Daniel F. Kane" wrote:



> An interesting commentary on this issue is

> http://hps.org/publicinformation/ate/q3422.html Dan KaneAssociates in

> Medical Physics, LLC d.kane@ampmedphysics.comwww.medphysics.com

>

>      ----- Original Message -----

>      From: Lori White

>      To: radsafe@list.vanderbilt.edu

>      Sent: Thursday, March 18, 2004 2:27 PM

>      Subject: LEAD APRONS: TIME FOR CHANGE ???

>       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

>