Radiation exposure to the hands of operators during angiographic procedures.

The hands of those undertaking angiographic studies are close to the X-ray beam and may receive high doses. However, during recent years little information is available on these doses. The exposure to the left and right hand was measured with thermoluminescent dose meters during several conventional angiographic procedures. Mean doses to the left hand ranged from 0.24 to 0.96 mSv and to the right hand from 0.12 to 0.71 mSv, related to the type of procedure performed. The protection provided by new flexible lead gloves was estimated. The dose reduction with the glove was 19.5%. Operators can approach the dose limit to hands set by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) during high workload. The data presented emphasize the importance of wearing lead gloves.