Lead Aprons Are a Lead Exposure Hazard

Autor: Benjamin H. Taragin, Morri E. Markowitz, Jamie M. Shoag, Kevin M. Burns, Patrick J. Parsons, Sukhraj S. Kahlon, Polly E. Bijur
Rok vydání: 2016
Předmět:
Zdroj: Journal of the American College of Radiology : JACR. 14(5)
ISSN: 1558-349X
Popis: Purpose To determine whether lead-containing shields have lead dust on the external surface. Methods Institutional review board approval was obtained for this descriptive study of a convenience sample of 172 shields. Each shield was tested for external lead dust via a qualitative rapid on-site test and a laboratory-based quantitative dust wipe analysis, flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The χ 2 test was used to test the association with age, type of shield, lead sheet thickness, storage method, and visual and radiographic appearance. Results Sixty-three percent (95% confidence interval [CI]: 56%-70%) of the shields had detectable surface lead by FAAS and 50% (95% CI: 43%-57%) by the qualitative method. Lead dust by FAAS ranged from undetectable to 998 μg/ft 2 . The quantitative detection of lead was significantly associated with the following: (1) visual appearance of the shield (1 = best, 3 = worst): 88% of shields that scored 3 had detectable dust lead; (2) type of shield: a greater proportion of the pediatric patient, full-body, and thyroid shields were positive than vests and skirts; (3) use of a hanger for storage: 27% of shields on a hanger were positive versus 67% not on hangers. Radiographic determination of shield intactness, thickness of interior lead sheets, and age of shield were unrelated to presence of surface dust lead. Conclusions Sixty-three percent of shields had detectable surface lead that was associated with visual appearance, type of shield, and storage method. Lead-containing shields are a newly identified, potentially widespread source of lead exposure in the health industry.
Databáze: OpenAIRE
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