Radiographic assessment of protective aprons and dose simulation to personnel

Studies have shown that protective aprons are carelessly handled after working hours. This, in turn, leads to crack, tear, hole, and creases on the apron, which may lead to distortion in the attenuating property and hence reduction in efficiency. The aim of the study was to carry out the radiographic assessment of four protective aprons (denoted A-D), to check for tear, crack, or pressure marks and to simulate what the equivalent dose rate, dose/procedure, percentage absorbance, and transmission factor (TF) would be if a physician is to perform hysterosalpingogram (HSG), for which he/she will be averagely exposed twice/procedure. Estimated equivalent skin dose per year to a physician with 0.25, 0.35, and 0.50 mm protective aprons was below 500 mSv/year, and the mean percentage absorbance for 0.25 mm protective aprons was seen to be below 90%