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Radiation Safety Glasses Cleaning & Care Guide

Written by Ryan Pryor on October 25, 2021
Category: Radiation Glasses

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Radiation safety glasses and goggles protect your eyes, one of the most vulnerable body parts, from harmful radiation exposure caused by diagnostic imaging machines. High-quality Radiation Glasses offer a reduction in the amount of radiation exposure by up to almost 98% by absorbing radioactive particles and scattering radiation away. 

 

To ensure the continued health and safety of medical staff and patients, Techno-Aide provides the following cleaning & care recommendations for all radiation safety glasses and goggles. The recommendations provided within are meant to be a guideline based on manufacturing specifications and best practices. All recommendations are intended to increase safety by decreasing the risk of cross-contamination and extending the life of all applicable protective apparel items.

 

Disclaimer: Radiation glasses are not to be used as impact safety lenses. Impact-resistant over goggles must be used if impact protection is required. 

Cleaning & Care of Radiation Glasses 

Radiation protection glasses and goggles require regular preventative maintenance and care to fully extend the life of the product. Techno-Aide recommends cleaning all products thoroughly between uses and anytime there is direct contact with patients and/or medical staff. The following cleaning recommendations should be followed as best as possible within facility guidelines and/or governing requirements. 

How to Clean Radiation Glasses 

Clean and disinfect radiation protective eyewear regularly. It is recommended that facilities establish and strictly adhere to a cleaning and care schedule for all radiation safety glasses and goggles. Note that each type of lenses has specific cleaning instructions:

 

For Standard Uncoated Lenses, clean with anti-bacterial detergent or hand soap with no microbeads or grit added. Gently rub lenses in straight lines under clear running water then dry with a soft lint-free cloth. Commercially available alcohol-based lens wipes are also acceptable. 

 

For Fog-free Coated Lenses, always clean with 75-80% alcohol. Commercially available alcohol-based lens wipes are acceptable. Use light pressure in straight lines thoroughly cleaning all surfaces of lenses and frames. Dry with a microfiber cleaning cloth. After repeated cleanings, it is recommended to rejuvenate the fog-free coating with a product like Clarity De-FogIT from Nanofilm. 

 

For Anti-Reflective Coated Lenses, clean with anti-bacterial detergent or hand soap with no microbeads or grit added. Gently rub lenses in straight lines under clear running water then dry with a soft lint-free cloth. 

What to Avoid When Cleaning Radiation Safety Glasses/Goggles 

 

  • Do not autoclave, and never use ammonia or chlorine cleaners. 
  • Do not use circular motions while cleaning as it can damage applied coatings. 
  • For anti-reflective coated lenses, never use alcohol as it will degrade the antireflective coating. 

 

Storage 

Properly storing x-ray protection glasses is a critical way to maintain the integrity of any product and helps ensure the continued safety of patients and medical staff. The following storage recommendations should be followed as best as possible within facility guidelines and/or governing requirements. 

 

How to Store Radiation Safety Glasses 

Lead glasses and goggles should be stored in protective cases when not in use. Store in a cool and dry location with minimal temperature fluctuations and low relative humidity. 

What to Avoid When Storing Radiation Safety Glasses/Goggles 

 

  • Do not store leaded eyewear in direct sunlight. 
  • Do not store in areas of frequent or extreme temperature fluctuations. 
  • Do not store in areas of high relative humidity. 

 

Inspections 

Techno-Aide recommends regularly inspecting radiation safety glasses and goggles, at minimum once a year, to ensure long-term performance and maintain medical staff and patient safety in your hospital, dental practice, or another type of clinic. Frequent inspections can identify any issues quickly and help maintain compliance and safety standards in your x-ray lab. Techno-Aide recommends considering replacements of safety glasses and goggles every 18-24 months based on the historical industry use and the average levels of wear and tear. 

 

Initial Inspection

To be eligible for Techno-Aide's manufacturer warranty, and any applicable additional manufacturer warranty, products classified as radiation safety glasses and/or goggles must be inspected upon receipt by the customer before being put into service or used in any non-testing imaging environment. If lenses are found to be pitted, chipped, or in other ways damaged upon receipt, cease use immediately and contact Techno-Aide directly. Techno-Aide requires issues or product concerns to be submitted within 10 business days upon receipt of the initial delivery. Techno-Aide may require photographs, radiographs, or any other visual representation of customer concerns to approve and process any exchange and/or return. 

Disposal 

Any product that contains lead or lead-based material must be disposed of properly and adhere to local and federal safety guidelines. Please consult directly with the proper authorities regarding local regulations and requirements governing your facility. For any questions regarding specific product disposal or if you'd like assistance selecting the best radiation safety glasses for your needs, please contact us toll-free at 1-800-251-2629 during normal business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 4:30 PM CST) or email customerservice@Techno-Aide.com anytime.