Answer to Question #4545 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

Category: Radiation Workers — Pregnant Workers

The following question was answered by an expert in the appropriate field:

I am a radiologic technologist who works in a fluoroscopy procedure room five days a week. Three coworkers and I are pregnant. In the past, it has been the accepted practice in this company to wear two lead aprons and stand behind a tray table with additional lead draped over it. We also have increased our distance from the c-arm whenever possible. However, as a result of the "inconvenience" of three pregnant x-ray technologists, our managers have decided to demand that we provide proof that extra shielding is necessary when pregnancy occurs. Is the practice of additional shielding considered "ridiculous" or would you recommend that we continue this additional shielding? As an additional note the extra lead we are using is just that, extra lead that would otherwise be unused.

The information that you provided did not include any indication of the typical readings that the pregnant technologists receive on their fetal dosimeters. Declared pregnant workers are typically limited to 500 mrem to the fetus over the entire gestation, and an attempt should be made to keep monthly exposures below 50 mrem/month. Without additional information, I assume that your fetal dose is typically significantly less than 50 mrem per month. I have not seen pregnant women wearing two aprons at the same time in practice. Typically, a single lead apron will absorb ~95% of all incident x rays, thereby reducing the fetal dose to a very small amount. If you are wearing one apron, and the fetal doses are acceptable, there should not be a need to wear a second apron. Keep in mind also that the additional weight of a second apron may cause physical stress to the worker and the unborn child.

If your facility has additional lead aprons, and the wearing of these aprons does not impede your work, and you are willing to accept the additional physical stress, I do not see a problem with the facility allowing you to decide to wear the additional lead.

Ken "Duke" Lovins, CHP

Reference
US Nuclear Regulatory Commission 10 CFR 20.1208 "Standards for Protection Against Radiation"

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