Behovet av blyhandskar som skydd mot sekundärstrålning vid röntgenundersökning av djur

Abstract: X-rays are a potential risk for animal health care personnel. The present study will examine the risks for scattered radiation to the personnel, if no lead gloves are used when holding an animal during the x-ray examination. Furthermore, how the impact of the exposure values and body parts examined, affect the scattered dose to the hands of the holder. Also, the distance between the animal and the hand that holds it was evaluated to see the impact on scattered radiation exposure. Tested by a survey, to animal health care students, the frequency of the usage of lead gloves in Swedish animal hospitals was studied. According to the results from the analysis, animal health care personnel don't need to use lead gloves every time they hold an animal or a cassette during x-ray examinations. The exposure value settings have a significant impact on the amount of scattered radiation the personnel is exposed to. Also, the distance between the animal and the hand that holds it, have an impact on scattered radiation exposure. This study has not shown that body part thickness were significant on impact to scattered radiation. Many exposures are required to reach the advised maximum radiation dosage, according to results from this study, for example 628 exposures on horse limb every day of a year. The use of lead gloves varies from clinic to clinic, but most of them have lead gloves available. Many animal health care students finds it difficult to handle animals and cassettes while wearing lead gloves. Because the researchers do not fully understand all risks associated with X-rays, it would be preferable to use the available protections when a person must be in the room during exposure.