A Study on the Use of Radiation-Protective Apron among Interventionists in Radiology

In plain language

In a survey of 91 interventional radiologists in India, about half reported body aches they attributed to single-sided aprons, and many did not know their apron's lead equivalence, material or weight. Findings are self-reported and descriptive.

At a glance

Type of study: Original research, Cross-sectional survey
Who was studied: Interventional radiologists
Size: n = 91 interventional radiologists
Where: India
Topics: Personal protective equipment Musculoskeletal injury and ergonomics Safety culture and compliance
Summary based on: the full text

What it found

Nearly half of interventional radiologists reported body aches attributed to wearing single-sided aprons.
Key figures: 47%
Most wore 0.5 mm Pb-equivalent aprons, while some wore lower lead equivalence or did not know it.
Key figures: 68% 0.5 mm; 15.4% 0.25 mm; 5.5% 0.35 mm
Many did not know whether their apron was lead or lead-free, or who made it.
Key figures: 29% unaware of material; 50% unaware of manufacturer
Those working over 10 h/day in single-sided aprons mainly reported shoulder and back pain.
Key figures: 8% worked >10 h/day
Most lead-free apron wearers reported no physical strain; apron weights were mostly 3-5 kg.
Key figures: 48% wore 3-5 kg aprons; 11% >5 kg

Limits to keep in mind

Single-conference convenience survey of 91 Indian interventional radiologists with self-reported pain, no validated instrument, no statistical comparison between apron types, and some internal inconsistencies in reported percentages.

Occupational Protection in Interventional Radiology. A Joint Guideline of the Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe and the Society of Interventional Radiology (2026, Guideline or consensus statement)
SCAI/ASE/HRS/SIR/SVS Expert Consensus Statement on Enhanced Radiation Protection: Time for Mandatory and Urgent Action (2026, Guideline or consensus statement)
SCAI Multi-Society Position Statement on Occupational Health Hazards (2020, Guideline or consensus statement)
Occupational Radiological Protection in Interventional Procedures, ICRP PUBLICATION 139 (2018, Guideline or consensus statement)
Occupational Health Hazards in the Interventional Laboratory: Time for a Safer Environment (2009, Guideline or consensus statement)

How this summary was made

ORSIF prepared this summary with AI assistance from the full text of the paper. A program then checked that the passage supporting each finding appears word for word in that source. A person has not yet reviewed each summary, so read the original before relying on a number. ORSIF summarizes research and does not endorse any product or company. Report a problem with this summary.

Prepared November 3, 2026.