Barrier Technologies offers the following cleaning and care guidelines for all protective clothing items to guarantee the continuous health and safety of medical professionals and patients. The suggestions in this document are intended to serve as a guideline based on manufacturing requirements and best practices. All suggestions are designed to improve safety by lowering the danger of cross-contamination and increasing the life of all radiation protective aprons.
Cleaning and Maintaining X-Ray Lead Aprons
To completely prolong the life of protective clothing, including both x-ray lead aprons and lead-free aprons, frequent preventive maintenance and care are required. Cleaning aprons for radiation protection between usage and whenever there is direct contact with patients and/or medical workers is recommended by Techno-Aide. Within facility rules and/or regulating regulations, the following cleaning suggestions should be followed as closely as feasible.
How to Clean Protective Clothing
Protective clothing should be cleaned and disinfected on a regular basis. Facilities should create and rigorously adhere to a cleaning and care plan for all protective gear. Cleaning x-ray aprons:
Step 1: Wet a non-abrasive clean cotton cloth, microfiber cloth, disposable cleaning towel, soft-bristled brush, or other preapproved porous sheet with cold or room temperature water and mild soap, detergent, or other approved cleaning substances such as Clorox hydrogen peroxide disinfectant, 409 with Anti-Bacterial properties, Revolution Scrubbles Apron Cleaner, Sani-Cloth AF3 Wipes, Rescue cleaning agents, and Sentinel II Disin
Step 2: Clean the whole garment surface, even if there is no obvious pollution or uncleanness, since hazardous micro-bacteria may be present.
Step 3: Thoroughly rinse disinfected areas with a moistened cotton cloth, microfiber cloth, disposable cleaning towel, or other preapproved porous sheet. Make certain that all cleaning chemicals have been completely removed from the clothing.
Step 4: Hang or put the clothing flat in a crease-free area to facilitate optimal drying.
What Should You Avoid When Cleaning Radiation Protection Clothing?
- Do not let your clothes go without regular washing and care.
- Protective clothes should not be machine washed, autoclaved, or dry-cleaned.
- Bleach, bleach alternatives, petroleum-based cleansers, chlorinated solvents, ether, and aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbons are all examples of abrasive and caustic chemicals and/or cleaners to avoid.
- Allow cleaning solutions to pool or sit for longer than the manufacturer recommends.
- Do not soak or immerse any protective gear item in water or chemical solutions for an extended period of time.
- Clothes should not be stored folded and/or wrinkled, nor should they be allowed to dry folded and/or creased.
Storage
Properly storing protective garments is essential for preserving the integrity of any garment and ensuring the continuing safety of patients and medical personnel. Within facility restrictions and/or regulating regulations, the following storage suggestions should be followed as closely as feasible.
How Should X-Ray Aprons Be Stored?
All protective clothes should be properly hung on a specifically constructed apron storage rack, hanger, or comparable storage device, according to Techno-Aide. (Learn more about the best solutions for lead apron storage and lead apron hangers.) When storing protective clothing between usage, keep them cold and dry, and always shut and secure any fasteners. If clothing cannot be hung, make sure they are kept flat and uncreased in a low-traffic, undisturbed place.
What Should You Avoid When Storing Protective Clothing?
- Avoid storing any protective clothing in direct sunlight.
- Allowing clothing to be crumpled or folded for a lengthy amount of time is not recommended.
- Closures should not be stored hanging or laying carelessly and unsecured.
- When storing flat, do not stack more than three clothing of identical size if they cannot be hung.
There Are Three Ways To Dispose Of Your Lead Apron.
Getting in touch with a recycling company: Many local recycling facilities or scrap metal firms may be reached through phone or the internet. The first step is to find one that recycles lead goods. These firms will often take the material and recycle it to make new lead aprons and other similar goods.
Contacting a hazardous waste carrier or handling company: Some hazardous waste carriers or handling companies will come to you and pick up the lead apron. It is as easy as making a phone call to find out. Check and ensure that the handling business is licensed in your current state or city. It is essential to observe your state and municipal legislation in order to avoid getting into trouble.
Check with your local dump; some will take lead aprons, while others will not accept lead aprons with extensive fractures or damage owing to high toxicity levels. Just be sure to verify with them ahead of time to spare yourself the trip.
Final thoughts
These are the most frequent and suitable means of disposal, however there are others. Finally, keep in mind that you should not just throw away your lead aprons in the ordinary garbage.
Non-lead aprons are another choice if you want to avoid wearing lead aprons entirely. Non-lead aprons provide the same level of safety, are usually less in weight, and may be disposed in standard garbage.