Answer to Question #10572 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

Category: Instrumentation and Measurements — Personnel Monitoring (PM)

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

Q

Why do we wear a TLD (thermoluminescent dosimeter) badge outside our lead apron and not under it?

A

There are two main reasons we wear the TLD badge outside the lead apron. The first is to measure, or be able to estimate from the badge reading, radiation dose to the organs not covered by the apron—eyes, thyroid, etc. The other reason is that, depending on the level of exposure, the apron does such a good job of shielding that there is no measurable exposure underneath it. So if we relied only on that badge, we'd have no information.

While most manufacturers state, for a 0.5 mm lead-equivalent apron, that about 5% of the radiation gets through the apron, we have found that the number is much smaller. That statement might be true for the primary beam, but since most workers are exposed only to scattered radiation, the aprons are nearly 100% effective at stopping the scattered x rays. That is why it is difficult to detect anything under the apron.

Kelly Classic
Certified Medical Health Physicist

Ask the Experts is posting answers using only SI (the International System of Units) in accordance with international practice. To convert these to traditional units we have prepared a conversion table. You can also view a diagram to help put the radiation information presented in this question and answer in perspective. Explanations of radiation terms can be found here.
Answer posted on 13 February 2013. The information posted on this web page is intended as general reference information only. Specific facts and circumstances may affect the applicability of concepts, materials, and information described herein. The information provided is not a substitute for professional advice and should not be relied upon in the absence of such professional advice. To the best of our knowledge, answers are correct at the time they are posted. Be advised that over time, requirements could change, new data could be made available, and Internet links could change, affecting the correctness of the answers. Answers are the professional opinions of the expert responding to each question; they do not necessarily represent the position of the Health Physics Society.