Reducing Radiation Exposure to Physicians' Hands
Protection of physicians' hands from unwarranted radiation exposure during fluoroscopic procedures is of growing importance in the fields of radiology, cardiology, and fluoroscopy. Radiation-attenuating flexible gloves are commercially available to the practicing physician. These gloves are imbedded with lead or bismuth to shield the physician from the primary x-ray beam. Protection from radiation scattered from the patient is also achieved. This study independently investigates the ability of commercially available shielding gloves to adequately protect the physician from unnecessary amounts of radiation while performing invasive fluoroscopic procedures. Different types of gloves were tested and compared with respect to percent of x-ray radiation attenuated at four energies. Initial data suggests bismuth provides the best shielding. The research results are important to assure that occupational doses to the hands of medical professional are maintained As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) to reduce the physician's risk of radiation induced health effects.
School:
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Department:
Nuclear, Plasma, & Radiological Engineering
Research Advisor:
David W. Miller
Department of Research Advisor:
Nuclear, Plasma, & Radiological Engineering
Year of Publication:
2005