Radiation Protection

The Guardian Flexback Lightweight Lead Apron is designed to protect healthcare professionals from radiation exposure during medical imaging procedures. With a 0.50mm lead equivalency, this apron provides reliable protection against radiation. It features a comfortable and flexible design that shifts the weight from the shoulders to the hips and comes with a convenient free back strap that allows for ease of movement, making it perfect for use in busy radiology imaging departments. The back strap keeps the apron in place when active within the department. No more worrying about the shoulders sliding downward. All Guardian aprons come with plush shoulder padding and anti slip fabric for extra comfort and fit. Front apron pocket is also included at no extra charge.

The Guardian Lightweight Lead Vest and Skirt is also designed with a 0.50mm lead equivalency to provide reliable protection against radiation. It features a comfortable and flexible two-piece design that shifts more than 65% of the weight from the shoulders directly to the hips which is great for when you are wearing this protection during long imaging procedures.

All Guardian Vests come with extended front panels achieving an overlap protection. You get excellent protection and a lighter weight vest without compromising protection. All Vests come with Free plush shoulder padding with anti-slip fabric for extra comfort and fit, and two buckles to secure your vest in place at the top and the side so you don’t have any more worries about your vest staying just where you need it.  A front vest pocket is also included at no extra charge.

All Guardian Skirts come standard with a premium nonslip fabric in the back at no additional charge. Each skirt has a Velcro closure and a heavy-duty buckle at the waist to secure your skirt in place at all times.

Both the Flexback apron and our Vest and Skirts includ a FREE thyroid collar, which provides protection for the sensitive thyroid gland. The collar is made of the same high-quality material as the apron, ensuring consistent protection throughout the body. Collar is attached to garment via a secure heavy duty buckle attachment. 

Garments manufactured in the USA.  

With June being Cataract Awareness Month, we felt it was important to talk about the dangers of radiation to the eye and the risk of Cataracts. There are currently more than 24 million Americans aged 40 or older who have cataracts; the leading cause of blindness in the United States. There has been a lot of research over the years in the understanding of how radiation exposure can directly affect the eye. The first radiation-induced cataracts were reported in 1949 and by the 1960s, several hundred cases were reported. The severity of the biologic effects from radiation exposure is based on the absorbed dose and the extent of the area exposed. The potential to develop a cataract depends on the absorbed dose and rate of dose accumulation.   

Radiation exposure can result in many health issues, including radiation burns, birth defects, cancers and yes even cataracts. Although the understanding of radiation safety and radiobiology has greatly increased over the last ten years, radiation exposure still remains a risk to patients and radiology professionals. A thorough understanding of radiation safety, including the principles of time, distance, shielding, and technique, is essential. It’s important to learn more about radiation exposure to the eyes and what kind of Radiation Glasses you can wear to protect yourself.

How does Radiation Increase Risk for Cataracts?

Investigators in the Radiation Epidemiology Branch (REB) have identified a significant exposure-response between low-dose cumulative occupational radiation exposure to the eye lens and the risk of cataracts. These findings were published online in 2018 in the European Journal of Epidemiology. Prior to this study, it was known that relatively high-dose exposure to ionizing radiation (greater than 0.5 Gy) could induce cataracts, but there was no evidence for risk at low doses under 100 mGy.  REB investigators evaluated cataract and cataract surgeries reported by participants from Radiologic Technologists in the USA. Over 12,000 eligible technologists reported a history of diagnosis of cataracts and over 5,500 reported undergoing cataract surgery.  Cumulative occupational radiation dose to the eye lens was associated with increased risk of cataract even at low doses less than 100 mGy. This finding challenged the threshold dose for cataract formation, and further changed the recommended dose threshold levels for the eye.

Eyes Are More Sensitive Than Previously Believed

The International Commission on Radiological Protection reduced the radiation dose threshold from 5.0 Gy to 0.5 Gy for the eye and the yearly dosage threshold was reduced from 150 mSv (sievert) to 20 mSv, averaged over 5 years. This came after studies showed that radiology professionals who worked around radiation had a much higher rate of developing cataracts than those who did not. Furthermore, the risk of developing cataracts increased with the length of time spent around radiation and frequency of exposure to radiation. 

Cataract Risk in a Cohort of U.S. Radiologic Technologists Performing Nuclear Medicine Procedures | Radiology (rsna.org)

How Can You Decrease Your Risk?

It’s important to decrease any radiation exposure to the eye. Neglecting to properly shield your eyes from radiation exposure is a risk for cataract development. A person’s height, the length and time spent in procedures such as fluoroscopy, the number of procedures performed, # of years in the radiology field, and the angle at which radiation hits the eye lens, are all risk factors that need to be taken into consideration when evaluating a person’s overall risk for cataract development.  The wearing of Lead Glasses has shown a reduction in the amount of radiation exposure to a user's eyes from 0% to 97%. Wearing Radiation Protective Lead Glasses is important for x-ray technologists and other radiology healthcare professionals. Lead Glasses can be manufactured with and without prescription lens including single vision and bifocal glasses. We also sell Fit-Over Radiation Glasses that fit easily over your existing glasses for the same level of protection.  Wearing lead glasses can significantly reduce the amount of scatter radiation that reaches the lens of the eye.

Z&Z Medical Solutions for Eye Protection

Z&Z Medical supplies a wide variety of lead glasses for all size faces making shopping easy online at www.zzmedical.com   It’s so important for radiology technologist and other healthcare professionals to equip themselves with high quality dependable lead glasses to protect eyes and lower your risk. To learn more about cataract treatment as part of Cataract awareness month, visit www.preventblindness.org

Medical Imaging professionals have to wear protective gear to keep themselves safe while they are working around Radiation. One essential part of this gear is the Thyroid Collar, which is used to shield the wearer from radiation exposure to the thyroid gland. Z&Z Medical, a leading supplier of imaging accessories and supplies, has recently released their new Guardian aprons, which come with a free thyroid collar !

Guardian aprons are made from high-quality materials that provide excellent protection against radiation. They are available in different sizes, and the design ensures a comfortable fit that allows for easy movement during imaging procedures. Additionally, the aprons are lightweight, making them easy to wear for extended periods without causing fatigue.

One of the standout features of the Guardian aprons is the included FREE thyroid collar. This is a crucial addition because the thyroid gland is highly sensitive to radiation. The thyroid collar is made from the same high-quality materials as the apron, ensuring that the wearer is fully protected during medical imaging procedures.

Z&Z Medical is known for our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction, and the Guardian aprons are no exception. The aprons come in a variety of standard sizes to suit the preferences of different healthcare professionals.  

In conclusion, the new Guardian aprons from Z&Z Medical are an excellent choice for medical professionals looking for reliable radiation protection. The inclusion of a FREE thyroid collar is a significant bonus, ensuring that the wearer is fully protected during medical imaging procedures. With our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction, Z&Z Medical is an excellent choice for all your medical equipment and supply needs.

Lead aprons are essential for protecting medical personnel from the harmful effects of ionizing scatter radiation during radiology procedures. Traditionally, lead aprons have been customized with embroidered names or departments. however, Guardian Aprons with slip-in name tag holders on the shoulder offer a more practical and versatile solution.

Here are some reasons why you should ditch embroidery and choose Guardian Aprons with slip-in name tag holders:

1. Versatile: Slip-in name tag holders on the shoulder provide a more versatile labeling solution than embroidery. With embroidery, the name is permanently stitched onto the apron, making it difficult to change or update. With slip-in name tag holders, the name can be easily inserted and removed, making it simple to update and customize the labeling.
2. Cost-effective: Embroidery generally has an upcharge and is a more expensive labeling option than slip-in name tag holders. Embroidery requires specialized equipment and skilled labor, which adds to the cost of the apron. Slip-in name tag holders, on the other hand, are a cost-effective labeling solution that can be easily replaced if a Physician or Technologist is no longer working at your facility.
3. Easy to read: Embroidery can be difficult to read, especially if the thread color blends in with the apron color. Slip-in name tag holders provide a clear and easy-to-read labeling solution, ensuring that medical personnel can quickly and accurately identify the user of the apron.

In conclusion, Guardian Aprons with FREE slip-in name tag holders on the shoulder offer a more practical and versatile labeling solution than embroidery. They are cost-effective, easy to read, and hygienic, making them the ideal choice for medical facilities looking to upgrade their lead aprons. Ditch the embroidery and choose Guardian Aprons with slip-in name tag holders for a more practical and effective labeling solution.

Visit our website today to learn more and order your new Protective Garment!

Mobile radiation shields and barriers are essential tools for ensuring the safety of medical imaging personnel and patients during radiology procedures. Z&Z Medical, a leading supplier of Radiology and Imaging Protection, offers a wide range of mobile lead barriers and shields as well as an array of unique mobile shields and barriers.  Available for X-Ray, Bone Density, CT, MRI, Nuclear Medicine, Cath Labs, Surgery Centers, or anywhere a lead mobile barrier is needed. 

Some lead barriers are designed to protect operating physicians and allow for close to table studies. These barriers are thoughtfully engineered with a small footprint so that they can be easily positioned exactly where you need them to be to offer maximum scatter radiation protection for the staff in the room.

We have other mobile lead barriers that are tilted for ergonomical viewing and some even offer reach through curtains offering high quality protection for unique needs.

Whatever your situation, Z&Z Medical has a solution for your mobile shielding needs. Visit our website today to learn more.