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19 March 2010

Answer to Question #5212 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

Category: Radiation Workers — Pregnant Workers

The following question was answered by an expert in the appropriate field:

I have only been working in the field of radiology for a short time. I am a large-animal radiology technician. I usually stay in the room while the exposure is being taken unless the animal is under anesthesia. I wear a full wrap-around lead vest and thyroid shield and have TLD (thermoluminescence dosimeter) badges on when taking exposures. I recently found out that I am expecting my second child. I should be about six weeks, but there is a chance that I may be farther along than that. I have not had an ultrasound yet. How much of a risk is my baby at for having some deformities?

It would be good if you could provide us with the readings from the TLD badges. Without that "real" exposure information, it is difficult to answer your question.

In general, the lead apron and thyroid shield should have about 0.5 mm lead equivalent in them, which will stop 95% or more of the scattered x rays. Where I work, we have radiology staff who perform interventional fluoroscopy procedures on a daily basis. Their over-the-apron radiation badge can approach readings of 5 rem (rem is a unit of effective radiation dose), while under-the-apron badges read zero, showing that the apron does stop most, if not all, of the scattered x rays.

If that is your case as well, the x rays reaching your abdomen are few, if any. So there is little or no risk of radiation-caused deformities of the baby.

Even with that being the case, I would suggest that you stand as far from the animal as you can while the radiation exam is being done or not be in the room if at all possible. If you must be in the room, you're doing the right thing by wearing the lead apron and collar—they are your best protection.

Kelly Classic
Certified Medical Health Physicist

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