The Cardiovascular and Interventional Society of Europe (CIRSE) and the Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) Safety and Health Committee represent experts in interventional procedures ranging from both the private and academic sectors of medicine.  These Committee members dedicate the majority of their professional time to performing interventional procedure and represent an expertise in their field. The CIRSE and SIR produce safety-related documents from in-depth literature search and critical review.

The Occupational Radiation Protection in Interventional Radiology: A Joint Guideline of the Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology Society of Europe and the Society of Interventional Radiology was produced in May of 2010  to provide guidance to help minimize occupational radiation dose.

"Occupational radiation protection is a necessity whenever radiation is used in the practice of medicine. It is especially important for image-guided medical procedures. These procedures may involve high radiation dose rates in the interventional laboratory. Occupational radiation protection is necessary, not only during fluoroscopically guided procedures but also during computed tomography (CT)–guided procedures, including CT fluoroscopy."

According to the CIRSE and SIR, this guideline is intended to offer a basic review of the medical physics relevant to occupational radiation safety and to provide advice and guidance to interventional radiologists who perform procedures with the guidance of ionizing radiation and their staff. In this document, the emphasis is radiation protection during fluoroscopically guided procedures.

The American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) is one of the largest voluntary standards development organizations in the world. Formed over a century ago, standards developed at ASTM are the work of over 30,000 technical experts, users, consumers, government and academia from over 120 countries.

In 2006, The ASTM Committee F23 on Protective Clothing published a new standard for testing radiation protection materials, focused on measuring the attenuation of X-rays and removing Lead Equivalency as part of the standard. They believe "it is not feasible to obtain an adequate standard of lead samples for reporting lead equivalency values."

The F23 standard, titled "Standard Test Method of Determining the Attenuation Properties in a Primary X-ray Beam of Materials Used to Protect Against Radiation Generated During the Use of X-ray Equipment",  specifies that the exposure is directly proportional to the intensity of the X-ray beam. The attenuation of the sample is determined at an X-ray energy in the range produced by an acceleration potential from 60 to 130 kVp. This test accurately measure the percentage of radiation being stopped by the protective device. There is nothing esoteric about this test, it provides the means and the method for accurately determining how much harmful radiation is being stopped by your protective apron or device.

Download the ASTM Report in .PDF Format

Testing Definitions:

• Attenuation:
  The process by which a beam of radiation is reduced in energy when passed through material. The most important and accurate measure of the level of protection an apron provides. Expressed as a percentage. Example: 98.5% attenuation means only 1.5% of the beam is passing through the apron and 98.5% of the beam is being stopped or blocked by the apron.
• Lead Equivalency:
  Antiquated way of expressing the protection level of an apron. Meaningless unless all parameters are known, such as the exact testing method and circumstances. No testing procedure exists to accurately express lead equivalency in products that do not contain lead (see ATTENUATION above) EXAMPLE: Lead free aprons with three layers of protective material that stop 98.14% of the direct beam at 90kVp are rated 0.521mm lead Equivalent. The very same test on the very same apron with 4 layers of protective material were rated at 0.781mm lead equivalent but only stopped 99.25% of the beam, a 1.14% difference

   

  The Original Radiation Protection Standard

  Lead radiation protection materials were originally tested to show the percentage of attenuation and lead equivalency in the direct X-ray beam, for purposes of insuring the end user that they were being adequately protected at all times. . This worked theoretically because both the sample and the standard were of the same material - lead. "Lead equivalency" became the marketing characterization for manufacturers of radiation protection products, however, as detailed above, one can quickly see how misleading lead equivalency reporting is. The new ASTM standard for testing protective aprons states in relevant part "Although lead equivalency has been the standard for reporting protective material capability, the drafters of this test method believe it is not feasible to obtain adequate standard lead samples for reporting lead equivalency values". What this statement says, essentially, is that lead equivalency reporting is at best, not accurate. What is accurate and relevant is the percentage of beam that passes through the protective apron or barrier and this can easily be provided for any apron or any material utilizing the standardized ASTM F 2547-06 test method. Finally there is a way to accurately and fairly test aprons and compare the various brands and manufacturers products.

  Usage of Lead Equivalency for Comparison

  Lead Equivalency means little without knowing the strength of the X-Ray beam used in the testing or the set up and testing procedure themselves. This generally leads to a false sense of security. Lead equivalency, in and of itself, is not a useful thing when stating actual protection from radiation. Again, what we are concerned with is the actual percentage of radiation the apron or barrier stops. This is best expressed as an attenuation percentage as specified in the ASTM standardized testing report. Typically, direct beam testing will range from powers of 60kVp to 120kVp, common industrial output from X-Ray and Imaging products. “0.5 mm lead” or “0.5 mm lead equivalent” are common product descriptions skewed to favor the inadequacies of certain manufacturers products and easily misleading. Finally there is a standardized and internationally recognized testing method that levels the playing field and gives you, the end user, the accurate information and data you need to make an informed decision on protection.

  Comparing Apples to Oranges

  When composite and lead-free materials were introduced, the standards kept "Lead Equivalency" in the testing process for many years to give relative assumptions about the effectiveness of X-ray beam protection materials. However, the lead equivalence estimate is based on two separate measurements, lead equivalency and attenuation percentage, which are then compared to give the "best guess" of lead equivalency. Because lead equivalency cannot be accurately determined, especially int he case of lead free products and since lead equivalency is really irrelevant and meaningless when expressed as a number without ALL of the testing parameters included, the very best way to make sure you are getting what you pay for is to know the exact percentage of attenuation your protective aprons and barriers provide. Attenuation is a simple test to perform and is 100% accurate and 100% indicative of the level of protection you are receiving. Too often manufacturers and their Representatives are telling "half truths". Yes, their apron may well be .50mm lead equivalency but at what energy level?? If it is tested at 60 kVp that is one thing, but what about 80, 90, 100 kVp? As has been demonstrated on numerous occasions, higher lead equivalency DOES NOT translate to proportionately higher levels of protection. in very recent testing by an independent Health Physics organization, utilizing the ASTM test method, the following results were documented:  A lead free apron with three layers of protective material attenuated 98.14% of the direct beam at 90kVp and was rated 0.521mm lead equivalent. The very same test on the very same apron with 4 layers of protective material were rated at 0.781mm lead equivalent, a 34% difference in lead equivalency, but only stopped 99.25% of the beam, a 1.14% difference in attenuation. From this example it is clear to see how easy it is to be mislead by the actual protection level of your apron. Again, lead equivalency means nothing other than the literal translation, equivalency to lead. Attenuation means everything, it is the very measure of HOW MUCH RADIATION IS BEING STOPPED BY THE PROTECTIVE DEVICE

  INFAB'S SOLUTION

  Lightweight & Lead-Free Attenuation
  
  Radiologists and X-ray technicians often experience apron discomfort, fatigue and other physical problems due to the weight of lead within their apparel. Infab offers a comfortable, lightweight alternative to lead. The Infab product attenuates the harmful beam at the same or higher levels then all other manufacturers products, whether they are lead, lead composite or lead free. ASTM testing method F 2547-6 has, at last, provided a fair and easy testing method by which to compare and evaluate all manufacturers products and their ability to stop harmful radiation. There is no longer any basis for or reason to "take anybody's word for it". This simple test will once and for all provide concrete information on a  protective devices efficacy.

  Environmentally Friendly Materials

  Given the worldwide concern about health effects arising from lead exposure, Infab's lead-free core material is environmentally friendly and does not require special disposal procedures.  There are outstanding alternatives to toxic lead and PVC in radiation protection and they are available today. The ASTM testing method levels the playing field and gives a concrete method for comparing the effectiveness of any protective apron, lead or otherwise. You no longer have to accept the competitors lies, the proof is in the test results and Infab tests every single batch of protective core material we manufacture with an independent testing lab. (results available on request). Don't just take our word for it, put us to the test, the ASTM Standardized apron test that is.

   

We're excited to be featured in the May 2010 Kaiser Green News! Kaiser San Rafael purchased a set of our Greenlite Lead-Free Aprons for their Cardiac Cath Lab and IR, reducing their carbon footprint and cost of disposal. “Our old lead was heavy and when it failed we would have to pay a company to dispose of the hazardous material that is contained in the lead aprons” says Virginia Vivian, Assistant Manager. “A plus with this new lead is that if it should fail the annual check we can throw it away in the regular garbage." We're proud to help Kaiser "Get the Lead Out!" and fitted into our comfortable, lead-free aprons.

Download the PDF

Did you know Infab has an inventory of aprons available to rent?  We rent lead aprons to hospitals, surgery centers, veterinary clinics, bioskills labs, and film production studios. Rentals are available most apron models. Call or E-mail Us today for more information.

We're pleased to make available our new catalog for 2010.

You'll find the following updates and more!

- New Standard Colors
- New XXL Sizes
- New Lower Prices for Glasses
- New Radiation Protection Glasses, including the "Flip Top" 

Download here!

We are proud to contribute to causes that increase the well-being of humankind. This month we've been priviledged to support the Boys & Girls Club of Los Angeles, The Radiology Technology Program at Frenso City College, Rad Tech Week at Los Robles Regional Hospital, Prostate Foundation, and Lance Armstrong's "Movember" Campaign.

As an Infab customer, If you have a favorite charity that you would like to see recognized, please send us an e-mail, in confidence, with the name of the charity and contact information, along with a brief statement about why this charity is near and dear to you. We would be happy to consider it for a future donation on behalf of you and the Infab Corporation

Infab is pleased to announce our new HRM service,  a unique new patch system for genuine Infab brand protective aprons only.

Infab will patch pinholes, cuts, and small tears in your Infab protective aprons core material. Maximum 10 day turnaround (usually less) and guaranteed for two years from date of repair.

CAUTION: Repaired areas may show up as a lighter spot under X-Ray (darker under fluoroscopy) but indicates an area of INCREASED protection

*Applies to Infab brand aprons only

Infab proudly donates a portion of our proceeds to worthy charities across the country.

In the month of September we donated $2,000.00 to the Avon Walk Against Breast Cancer, $100.00 to the Humane Society of America and $100.00 to the Arthritis Foundation.
 
Philanthropy is something the team at Infab embraces and supports whole heartedly. We are proud to contribute to causes that increase the well-being of humankind.
 
As an Infab customer, If you have a favorite charity that you would like to see recognized, please send us an e-mail, in confidence, with the name of the charity and contact information, along with a brief statement about why this charity is near and dear to you. We would be happy to consider it for a future donation on behalf of you and the Infab Corporation

GreenLite® is a proprietary blend of lead free metal powder and polymers that form a protective barrier against radiation equal to lead vinyl in the primary beam and SUPERIOR to lead vinyl in protecting against scatter radiation.

GreenLite® is the lightest apron in the world, 41% lighter than any lead vinyl apron. GreenLite® has become the industry’s standard worldwide for lead-free and lightweight protective gear.

We invite you to compare our weight vs. protection against any other manufacturers products! Check out the independent test reports here. 

Contact Us to see how you can take advantage of GreenLite in your next purchase.