NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF
HEALTH AND MENTAL HYGIENE
Thomas Farley, MD, MPH
Commissioner
Quality Control Testing for Lead Aprons: Interpretation of Regulatory Requirements
I. Background:
Manufacturers of lead aprons warranty their products to be free of material and workmanship defects for
up to two (2) years. Also, the same lead apron manufacturers specify rather stringent requirements for the
“Care and Use” of the lead aprons in workplace use and storage. Hence, it is reasonable to assume that if
radiographic facilities procure new lead aprons and ‘properly care, use, and storage ‘ the lead aprons,
according to manufacturer’s recommendations, that these garments do not require rigorous testing to
assure their shielding integrity during the first half of their expected use lifetime. The expected lifetime of
lead apron is estimated to be about 10 years, if cared for properly and stored according to manufacturer’s
recommendations.
Articles appearing in the Journal “Operational Radiation Safety” have attempted to address the issues
of a suggested program for site based inspections of lead aprons and criteria for rejection of lead aprons
based upon mathematical formulas involving defect area and cost of lead apron replacement. The latter
articles rely heavily upon testing lead aprons by x-ray imaging on an annual basis. Whereas the State of
Texas radiation regulations state that the testing of lead aprons is conducted by visual or tactile means or
x-ray imaging without regard to the age of the lead aprons in use at x-ray site. Some consideration has to
be made for the age of lead aprons in the testing methodology, and their presumable deteriorating
condition with age. Hence, the following protocol is a reasonable interpretation of lead apron testing
based upon assuring operator safety, efficiency of testing, and age of lead aprons.
II. Interpretation of Lead Apron Testing for Defects:
The facility shall develop a detailed written Policy and Procedure (to be placed in their QA Manual) to
ensure that the manufacturer’s recommended Care and Use lead apron policy is adhered to on a continuing
basis at the site. This policy should include training of LRT techs on proper Care and Use, review of
storage sites for lead aprons, and policy on how LRTs can report lead aprons with condition problems.
The latter policy will be reviewed by inspectors during routine inspections.
Lead Aprons 5 years of age or less:
Lead aprons shall be checked annually for defects such as holes, cracks and tears. These checks shall be
conducted by the registrant by visual or tactile means, or x-ray imaging. If a defect is found, the lead
apron shall be removed from service and either replaced or repaired.
Lead Aprons greater than 5 years of age:
Lead aprons shall be checked annually for defects such as holes, cracks and tears. These checks shall be
conducted by the registrant by visual or tactile means, or x-ray imaging, EXCEPT lead aprons used for
operator protection, when patient fluoroscopy is being conducted, shall be checked for defects by xray imaging only! If a defect is found, the lead apron shall be removed from service and either replaced
or repaired.