Chronic Lead Exposure in Nuclear Medicine.

Lead has been used as a means of radiation shielding in the Nuclear Medicine since the profession emerged (Christian et al, 2007; Thrall, O'Malley, & Ziessman, 2006). Today, lead is used in products ranging from collimators and structural walls to that of simple lead syringe shields and carry pots (Christian et al, 2007; Holden, 2008). While the less malleable properties of tungsten has seen it replace the use of lead in many products, the lower cost of lead has ensured widespread use remains. Despite a long history of widespread use of lead, there is a paucity of information relating to health implications of such generalised exposure in Nuclear Medicine.