Vano, E; Fernandez, JM; Delgado, V; Gonzalez, L
The ability of tungsten and lead lined surgical gloves to protect against X-ray exposure was evaluated. Eleven commercial brands of lined gloves, nine containing lead at mass thicknesses of 0.05 to 0.23 kilogram per square meter (kg/m2) and two containing tungsten at mass thicknesses of 0.23 and 0.25mg/m2, were tested. The gloves were exposed to 60, 80, 102, and 125 kilovolt potential (kVp) X-rays in an experimental chamber. The degree of attenuation of the X-radiation by the gloves was measured using an ion chamber placed behind the gloves. The experimental values were compared with data supplied by the manufacturers. The tactile quality of the gloves was evaluated by radiology specialists using a four point scale. A numerical attenuation simulation experiment was performed using four pattern X-ray spectra produced at 60, 80, 100, and 120kVp and the known atomic properties of lead and tungsten to determine the equivalent linear thickness of the elements in the gloves for attenuating the radiation. The measured attenuation values generally did not agree with those supplied by the manufacturers. For example, the percentage attenuation of a glove containing 0.23kg/m2 lead for the 60, 80, 102, and 125kVp X-rays averaged 51, 41, 34, and 29%, respectively. The attenuation percentages claimed by the manufacturer were 76, 65, 60, and 53%, respectively. Thicker gloves generally provided better protection (higher attenuation levels) than thinner gloves, but had poorer tactile quality. The exception was the two tungsten lined gloves which had high attenuation levels and good tactile ratings. The tungsten lined gloves had equivalent linear thicknesses of 0.012 and 0.013 millimeters which were comparable to most of the lead lined gloves. The authors conclude that tungsten offers clear advantages over lead for X-rays in protective gloves over the range of X-ray energies used in diagnostic radiology.