How much lead equivalence is required for fluoroscopic curtains?

• A. 0.5 mm
• B. 0.2 mm
• C. 0.25 mm
• D. 0.4 mm

Answer: (C)

Fluoroscopic curtains act as a secondary barrier to protect staff from scatter radiation during fluoroscopy. Lead equivalence measures how much radiation the curtain can attenuate. The minimum recommended thickness for these curtains is a quarter of a millimeter of lead equivalent. This level provides sufficient attenuation of scattered photons produced during routine fluoroscopy while keeping the curtain reasonably light and practical to use. Using less than this would reduce protection and could allow more scatter to reach personnel; using more would add unnecessary weight and cost without a clear added benefit in typical settings.