Abstract
Nuclear medicine technologists in Manitoba receive annual whole-body doses in the range 100-500 mrem (1-5 mSv) and are classified as Atomic Radiation Workers. A detailed investigation into the sources of this radiation exposure in a department which does not use a 99Mo/99mTc generator has shown that the dominant component arises from radioactivity in the patients undergoing nuclear medicine examinations. Under these circumstances, it is appropriate to ask the question: “Should nuclear medicine technologists wear lead (Pb) aprons to reduce their annual radiation doses?” The wearing of Pb aprons by nuclear medicine technologists, for all (or some) nuclear medicine examinations, could be considered an integral component of an ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable) radiation protection program. In this paper, quantitative analysis is made of the dose reductions that are achievable by utilizing Pb aprons. In addition, the actual practice of Pb apron use in Manitoba is reported. The data presented enable the individual technologist to perform a “cost-benefit” analysis in making a rational decision as to the need for wearing Pb aprons during each component of an imaging procedure.
