Evaluation of Personal Shields Used in Selected Radiology Departments

Salmanvandi, Mohsen; Momennezhad, Mehdi; Naseri, Shahrokh; Ghasemnezhad, Reza; Didehvar, Hadi; Salari, Marym

doi:10.22038/ijmp.2015.4330

Evaluation of Personal Shields Used in Selected Radiology Departments

Document Type : Original Paper

Authors

Mohsen Salmanvandi ¹

Mehdi Momennezhad ²

Shahrokh Naseri ³

Reza Ghasemnezhad ¹

Hadi Didehvar ¹

Marym Salari ⁴

¹ Department of Radiology, School of Paramedical Sciences, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences (MUMS), Member of Student's Research Assembly of MUMS, Mashhad, Iran.

² Nuclear Medicine Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

³ Department of Medical Physics, Bu-Ali Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

⁴ Department of Biostatistics, School of Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

10.22038/ijmp.2015.4330

Abstract

Introduction
The purpose of this study was to evaluate personal shields in radiation departments of hospitals affiliated to Mashhad University of Medical Sciences.
Materials and Methods
First, the information related to 109 personal shields was recorded and evaluated by imaging equipment. Afterwards, the equivalent lead thickness (ELT) of 62 personal shields was assessed, using dosimeter and standard lead layers at 100 kVp.
Results
In this study, 109 personal shields were assessed in terms of tears, holes and cracks. The results showed that 18 shields were damaged. Moreover, ELT was evaluated in 62 shields. As the results indicated, ELT was unacceptable in 8 personal shields and lower than expected in 9 shields.
Conclusion
According to the results, 16.5% of personal shields had defects (tears, holes and cracks) and 13% of them were unacceptable in terms of ELT and needed to be replaced. Therefore, regular quality control of personal shields and evaluation of new shields are necessary at any radiation department.

Keywords

occupational exposure

Radiography

Shield

Subjects