title: LEAD COMPOSITE VS. NONLEAD PROTECTIVE GARMENTS: WHICH ARE BETTER? A MULTIVENDOR COMPARISON.
abstract: This study aims to provide more insight in attenuation characteristics and corresponding lead (Pb) equivalences of a broad range of commercially available lead composite and nonlead protective garments. Thirty garments of five manufacturers (listed as 0.25-0.35-0.50 mm Pb equivalent) were tested. Transmission values were determined at 70, 90 and 110 kVp using an inverse broad beam geometry. Pb equivalence was determined using lead sheets as reference material. A substantial variability in photon transmission across garments was found. Differences between lead composite and nonlead garments were not statistically significant. Depending on tube voltage, between 9 and 12 out of 30 garments had a lower Pb equivalence than the indicated value. This work shows that lead equivalence as indicated on a garment's label may overestimate its protective performance. Depending on the application a more thorough verification of the effectiveness of protective garments at the desired kVp is warranted.
authors.affiliation: Radboud University Medical Center, Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Geert Grooteplein-Zuid 10, 6500 HBNijmegen, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: S M B
authors.initials: SMB
authors.lastname: Peters
authors.affiliation: Leiden University Medical Center, Department of Radiology, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZALeiden, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zweers
authors.affiliation: Radboud University Medical Center, Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Geert Grooteplein-Zuid 10, 6500 HBNijmegen, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: de Lange
authors.affiliation: Franciscus Gasthuis & Vlietland, Department of Radiology, Kleiweg 500, 3045 PMRotterdam, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: J E M
authors.initials: JEM
authors.lastname: Mourik
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead; D017785:Photons; D011481:Protective Clothing; D011835:Radiation Protection; D012542:Scattering, Radiation
chemical_list: D007854:Lead