Answer to Question #5657 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

Q

I was employed as a veterinary assistant for approximately one year. During that time, I was required to physically restrain the animals while they were being x rayed. I wore a lead thyroid protector, gown, and gloves, as well as a dosimeter. The room was rather small (approximately 8 x 8 feet) and I was required to hold the animal in position on a table with the x-ray beam directed at its body. I probably assisted in such a manner approximately once per week (two to three x-rays).   

I am concerned that this exposure might have harmful consequences for me in the future. Would the lead garments have adequately shielded me from potentially harmful x-ray exposure?  

A

Yes, the lead shielding that you used should have adequately protected you. The National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP) indicates in its Report No. 148 (Radiation Protection in Veterinary Medicine) that "Although x-ray machines are widely used in veterinary medicine, the workload, and thus the potential exposure of both the practitioner and the technical assistants is, on the average, low. However, because practices such as restraining animals and holding film cassettes introduce risks of unnecessary exposure to staff, special attention is given in this report to proper practices."

From what you indicated, the facility where you worked used the good practices described in this guide (that is, wearing a lead apron, thyroid shield, lead gloves, and use of a dosimeter to measure radiation dose). Although you did not indicate what the results of your dosimeter readings were, it sounds like the facility where you worked was concerned about protecting the staff from unnecessary radiation exposure and, therefore, your radiation dose (and associated risk) should be minimal.

Note also that the use of x rays in veterinary facilities is regulated by the state that you are in. Typically, there are requirements that must be followed, and these are usually checked during state inspections of the facility.

Ken "Duke" Lovins, CHP