• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.142-147
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• 2013

Background: Medical doctors who perform C-arm fluoroscopy-guided procedures are exposed to X-ray radiation. Therefore, radiation-protective shields are recommended to protect these doctors from radiation. For the past several years, these protective shields have sometimes been used without regular inspection. The aim of this study was to investigate the degree of damage to radiation-protective shields in the operating room. Methods: This study investigated 98 radiation-protective shields in the operation rooms of Konkuk University Medical Center and Jeju National University Hospital. We examined whether these shields were damaged or not with the unaided eye and by fluoroscopy. Results: There were seventy-one aprons and twenty-seven thyroid protectors in the two university hospitals. Fourteen aprons (19.7%) were damaged, whereas no thyroid protectors (0%) were. Of the twenty-six aprons, which have been used since 2005, eleven (42.3%) were damaged. Of the ten aprons, which have been used since 2008, none (0%) was damaged. Of the twenty-three aprons that have been used since 2009, two (8.7%) of them were damaged. Of the eight aprons used since 2010, one (12.3%) was damaged. Of the four aprons used since 2011, none (0%) of them were damaged. The most common site of damage to the radiation-protective shields was at the waist of the aprons (51%). Conclusions: As a result, aprons that have been used for a long period of time can have a higher risk of damage. Radiation-protective shields should be inspected regularly and exchanged for new products for the safety of medical workers.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.501-507
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• 2016

This study is to figure out the amount of primary X-ray generated in SID 50cm, 1m, and 2m penetrating protective aprons in X-ray radiography for hands, skull, and lumbar spine. Results are as follows: Firstly, the exposure dose of primary X-ray which is low such as that of hand X-ray may be reduced by 270 times if protective aprons are worn, but it still slightly penetrates 0.3mm thick Pb protective aprons at SID 50cm, 1m, and 2m. Secondly, the exposure dose of primary X-ray which is moderate such as that of skull X-ray may be reduced by 22 times if protective aprons are worn, but it still fairly penetrates 0.3mm thick Pb protective aprons at SID 50cm, 1m, and 2m. Thirdly, the exposure dose of primary X-ray which is very high such as that of lumbar spine X-ray may be reduced by 13 times if protective aprons are worn, but it still penetrates a lot 0.3mm thick Pb protective aprons at SID 50cm, 1m, and 2m. Therefore, people in X-ray room should not only wear protective aprons at any spaces that the primary X-ray can reach, but also need to stand behind the thick Pb shield to protect the body if it is inevitable to stay in the room.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.244-252
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• 2018

C-arm fluoroscopy is useful equipment in interventional pain management because it helps to guide correct needle targeting for the accurate injection and drug delivery. However, due to increased use of C-arm fluoroscopy in various pain procedures, the risk of radiation exposure is a significant concern for pain physicians. The harmful biological effects of ionizing radiation on the human body are well known. It is therefore necessary to strive to reduce radiation exposure. Lead aprons with thyroid shields are the most fundamental radiation protective devices for interventional procedures, and are very effective. However, the operator's radiation safety cannot be guaranteed because pain physicians seem to lack sufficient interest, knowledge, and awareness about radiation safety. Also, inappropriate care and use of radiation protective devices may result in a higher risk of radiation exposure. The purpose of this article was to review the literature on radiation safety with a focus on lead aprons and thyroid shields and present recommendations related to those devices during C-arm fluoroscopic-guided interventions by pain physicians.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.453-460
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• 2017

This study proposes effective quality control and maintenance method by developing a new qualitative evaluation method of apron for medical radiation protection. As an experimental material, one of 0.45 mm lead and 100 of 0.45 mm Pb aprons were used and irradiated under the conditions of a tube voltage of 75 kVp and a tube current of 12.5 mAs to obtain an image. and using the Image J program, PSNR values were compared and analyzed. The results showed that there were 40 aprons (less than 11dB), 55 aprons (less than 11dB, less than 30dB), and 5 aprons (30dB or more). In addition, the dose showed a normal distribution for the apron, and 5 aprons with PSNR less than 11dB and 30dB or more were selected and divided into 8 zones, and these groups were statistically significant.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.73-79
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• 1993

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.553-562
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• 2010

This survey investigates the conditions of summer working uniforms for contracted foodservice workers. The data were obtained from 67 workers through in-depth interviews (July 2005~October 2005). The results of study are as follows: The working environment changed to menu and cooking method (air temperature $28\sim37^{\circ}C$, humidity 72~86 %RH, radiant temperature $27\sim37^{\circ}C$, air velocity 0.14~0.37m/sec). They answered that the working environment has high temperatures, humidity, excessive noise, and liability to slide. The typical accidents were burns, cuts, slide, and ligament injuries in the workplace. Work duties consisted of cooking, serving food, washing, and cleaning up leftover food. All the employees carried out multi tasks. The primary working postures and motions were standing, crouching, and lifting. The female workers usually wore underwear (panty and brassiere), upper and lower work wear, aprons, waterproof-aprons, cotton-gloves, rubber-gloves, socks, and rubber-boots. The satisfaction of the uniform was relatively low for trousers and waterproof-aprons. The answer about the fit was generally "comfortable." They answered "back," "chest," and "head" were wet with perspiration during work. The uncomfortable parts were the crotch and neck. Questions concerning their satisfaction with the material of uniforms indicated a high rate of dissatisfaction, particularly for ventilation and absorbency. In case of the colors of the working uniform, workers preferred white color for the upper part, and black color for the lower part.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.41-47
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• 2017

Considering that the X-ray apron used in the department of radiology is also used in the department of nuclear medicine, the study aimed to analyze the shielding rate of the apron according to types of radioisotopes, thus ${\gamma}$ ray energy, to investigate the protective effects. The radioisotopes used in the experiment were the top 5 nuclides in usage statistics $^{99m}Tc$, $^{18}F$, $^{131}I$, $^{123}I$, and $^{201}Tl$, and the aprons were lead equivalent 0.35 mmPb aprons currently under use in the department of nuclear medicine. As a result of experiments, average shielding rates of aprons were $^{99m}Tc$ 31.59%, $^{201}Tl$ 68.42%, and $^{123}I$ 76.63%. When using an apron, the shielding rate of $^{131}I$ actually resulted in average dose rate increase of 33.72%, and $^{18}F$ showed an average shielding rate of -0.315%, showing there was almost no shielding effect. As a result, the radioisotopes with higher shielding rate of apron was in the descending order of $^{123}I$, $^{201}Tl$, $^{99m}Tc$, $^{18}F$, $^{131}I$. Currently, aprons used in the nuclear medicine laboratory are general X-ray aprons, and it is thought that it is not appropriate for nuclear medicine environment that utilizes ${\gamma}$ rays. Therefore, development of nuclear medicine exclusive aprons suitable for the characteristics of radioisotopes is required in consideration of effective radiation protection and work efficiency of radiation workers.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.135-141
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• 2011

If protective performance of apron cannot be good, radiation exposure of an guardian or a patient, a person engaged in radiation related industry cannot rise. Therefore, It will be evaluated protection performance to radiation protection aprons by manufacturers and lead equivalent more than 0.25mm lead equivalent. And, will show in the direction of application to clinic. The new aprons by manufacturers(H, X, I, J company) and lead equivalent(0.50mmPb, 0.35mmPb, 0.25mmPb) measured transmitted dose rate and shielding rate, uniformity under fluoroscopy and general radiography using to fluoroscopy system and digital radiography system, x-ray multifunction meter. The shielding rate measurement results, 0.5mmPb apron was Shielding rate of apron of a I company(fluoroscopy : 97.96%) was the best under six companies, and shielding rate of apron of a J company(fluoroscopy : 96.25%) was worst. 0.35mmPb Apron was Shielding rate of a I company(fluoroscopy : 96.79%) was the best under the three companies, and shielding rate of an H company(fluoroscopy : 95.81%) was the worst. 0.25mmPb Apron was Shielding rate of X company apron(fluoroscopy : 90.908%) was better than H company apron(fluoroscopy : 88.82%) than two companies. The uniformity measurement results, 0.5mmPb Aprons of X company(fluoroscopy : 0.13) and I company(fluoroscopy : 0.19) was the best under the six companies, and J company apron(fluoroscopy : 0.45) was the worst. 0.35mmPb. Along a manufacturer and lead equivalent performance of apron protection is distinguished certainly. Therefore, a patient, guardian or a person engaged in radiation related industry shall enforce experiment of a lot of ways defined or evaluation so that the maximum reduces radiation exposure. Buy the apron that protective performance is good, It will be performed through experiment and evaluation.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.82-89
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• 2019

This study was undertaken to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors associated with contracting Lyme disease (LD) among Korean deer farmers. This cross-sectional study devised questionnaire that addressed farm activities, was devised and the blood samples of 516 Korean deer farmers were tested. LD seroprevalence was determined by Western blot test. Fisher's exact test, the chi-squared test, and the chi-squared test for trend analysis were performed to assess the risk associated with LD. Of total 516 study participants recruited, only 12 (2.3%) were seropositive for LD. The result of the study revealed that only deer farmers raising Elk (Cervus Canadensis) were found to be at significantly higher risk of contracting LD than other deer farmers (p=0.033). In addition, a male sex, an age of < 40 years, and those that had raised deer for < 19 years had higher rates of LD infection than their counterparts. Similarly, those that managed livestock sheds, fed deer, processed industry and prepared compost had higher rates of LD infection. In terms of protective factors, those who did not use protective measures such as wear glasses and masks, or protective gloves and aprons, and those that did not disinfect work instruments and did not shower after work had higher rates of LD than those that used protective measures. In conclusion, preventive health strategies should take into account the profiles of deer farmers at greater risk based on considerations of personal, type of work, and the use of personal protective measures.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.45-50
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• 2003

In this work, we characterized the shieldability and lightweight of radiation protective aprons which were consisted of various metal(Pb, Sn, Ni, Ti and Cu) by measuring the x-ray dose transmitted through the filters. The transmitted ratio and lead equivalent of various metal were obtained by linear interpolation and the lead equivalent of double layered filters contained Pb layer was determined. The transmitted ratio of the apron(0.25 mmPb) specified in KS B 0845 was 5.2%. The transmitted ratio of the filters at the thickness of 0.6 mm was decreased in the other of Ni(32.60%), Ti(17.75%), Cu(13.25%) and Sn(3.84%). From the results of experimental evaluation for combined filter of Pb and Sn, it was founded that in the case of the first Sn layer, the lead equivalent was higher than that of the first Pb layer. The lead equivalent corresponding to apron of 0.25 mmPb was obtained in the double layered filters of Sn(0.19 mm) - Pb(0.1 mm) and Pb(0.1 mm) - Sn(0.37 mm). Thus, the Sn-Pb filter had the lower weight about 13% than apron of 0.25 mmPb.