| Some radiation is inevitable, and humans are | | | | name implies, about half the weight of lead, |
| constantly exposed to natural radiation from soil, | | | | reducing the element of weight-fatigue for |
| building materials like marble and granite, cell phone | | | | technicians who must wear shielding all day. Equally |
| towers, and excess radiation in flights at or above | | | | as important, disposal of Xenolite aprons and |
| 20,000 feet. | | | | vests eliminates the environmental hazard of lead |
| Medical radiation, from X-rays, also contributes. | | | | disposal. |
| These scans, which are so essential to diagnosis | | | | Protective aprons for technicians and patients also |
| and cure, are also inherently dangerous, | | | | come in lightweight models with removable lead |
| particularly if given more than a dozen times a | | | | panels, making aprons completely disposable |
| year. The greatest danger is to the thyroid gland, | | | | without recycling once the panels are removed. |
| and this is why governments routinely distribute | | | | In addition to aprons, protective gloves, glasses |
| potassium iodide tablets in the event of accidental | | | | and masks (which offer a greater surface area of |
| radiation exposures, as in a nuclear plant failure. | | | | protection), radiologists can protect themselves |
| Radiation protection equipment for both radiologist | | | | with lightweight, ergonomically designed thyroid |
| and patient is a standard in facilities that offer | | | | collars. To protect their patients, technicians can |
| X-rays. This equipment can run the gamut from | | | | arm themselves with man different types of |
| lead-lined vests, or aprons, to lap shields for use | | | | radiation protection products such as rolling lead |
| by women of childbearing age and thyroid neck | | | | shields, overhead shields, and individualized shields |
| shields. | | | | which protect gonads, the reproductive area, the |
| The Xenolite radiation protection lead apron, a | | | | spine, and even the neck with flexible, |
| scientific advance in shielding technology, was first | | | | comfortable thyroid shields. |
| developed in 1991 by DuPont and represents the | | | | X-rays are an essential tool of modern medicine, |
| world's first lightweight, multi-element, composite | | | | and protecting humans from their inherent danger |
| X-ray protection material. Designed specifically to | | | | is a valuable component. |
| replace traditional lead shielding, Xenolite is, as its | | | | |