A Survey of Diagnostic X-ray room design and shielding Integrity of Lead Aprons in a State in North Eastern Nigeria

Background: X-ray facility design and shielding integrity is meant to optimize the radiation safety ofpatients, staff and the general public. Objectives: To determine the conformity to x-ray room design standards and the functional efficacy oflead aprons in the surveyed facilities. Materials and Method: The survey was conducted in six radio diagnostic centres in Gombe StateNigeria labelled A to F for anonymity. The building layout of the radiology departments wassketched to show the dimensions (L x B x H) and adjoining structures. Datasheets were also used torecord information about the radio-diagnostic facility. Lead aprons were inspected for defects byphysical observation and by x-ray exposure. Results: The x-ray room dimension of the six radio diagnostic centres with A(24 m2), B (14.8 m2), C(30 m2), D (36 m2), E (21.2 m2) and F (25 m2). All the walls of the radio-diagnostic room of the facilityA, B, C and D were lined with 2 mm lead equivalent, whereas E and F were not. About 7 (38.8%) oflead aprons inspected were defective, while 11 (61.1%) were not defective. Conclusion: There are compromises noted in the design of the facility and themajority of the lead aprons inspected showed good functional efficacy.