In plain language
In laboratory testing of 15 in-use lead and lead-free aprons from South Australian hospitals, many provided less shielding than labelled, back panels especially, and performance varied widely among garments with the same 0.5 mm rating.
At a glance
- Type of study
- Original research, Phantom or simulation study
- Who was studied
- Phantom or simulation (no people)
- Size
- n = 15 garments
- Where
- Australia
- Summary based on
- the abstract
What it found
Many garments provided less lead equivalence than the manufacturer claimed, especially back panels.
Key figures: 47% of front panels; 90% of back panels
A substantial share of panels failed minimum IEC requirements for angiographic use.
Key figures: 20% of front panels; 62% of back panels
Garments all labelled 0.5 mm lead equivalence varied widely in scatter attenuation.
Key figures: 38 fold difference
Scatter transmission varied with tube voltage for most garments.
Key figures: 56% of garments differed by at least 49%
Most garments failed to comply with labelling standards.
Limits to keep in mind
Small sample of 15 garments from four hospitals in one Australian state, tested with a Perspex phantom in a simulated suite; garment age and condition may have affected results, and no staff dose or health outcomes were measured.
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How this summary was made
ORSIF prepared this summary with AI assistance from the abstract 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.