Objective To evaluate the effects of personal protective devices for examinees against diagnostic medical X-rays, and protect their health and safety.
Methods Thermo luminescent dosimeter was used to measure and compare the radiation doses inside and outside different personal protective devices during CT, general photography, and gastrointestinal radiography, in order to evaluate the effects of personal protective devices on indirect exposure areas.
Results In CT, gastrointestinal radiography, and general photography examination, the highest radiation dose shielding rate reached 73.3%, 85.2%, and 8.0%, respectively. Meanwhile, the radiation doses inside lead caps, lead-rubber vests, and lead-rubber aprons were significantly lower than those outside (P < 0.05), but there were no differences between the inside and outside of lead protection aprons in chest photography (P > 0.05).
Conclusion Personal protective devices are effective for shielding indirect exposure parts of examinees against diagnostic medical X-rays, especially in CT scan and gastrointestinal examination. In some detection points, however, the radiation dose of in side is higher than the outside, probably due to physically unsuited devices and the scattering effect of X-rays.
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