What type of protective gear is recommended for nuclear medicine staff?

Lead gloves are recommended for nuclear medicine staff primarily due to their effectiveness in shielding against radiation. In nuclear medicine, professionals are often exposed to radioactive materials and ionizing radiation, which can pose significant health risks. Lead is a dense and highly effective material for attenuation of this type of radiation, making lead gloves particularly useful in situations where hand exposure is likely, such as handling radiopharmaceuticals or patient care procedures post-administration of radioactive substances.

The design of lead gloves ensures that they provide substantial protection without compromising dexterity, which is crucial for performing delicate tasks in a clinical setting. This protective gear helps minimize the radiation dose received by staff members while carrying out their duties, thus adhering to safety protocols and regulatory standards in radiation protection.

Other options, such as plastic aprons and rubber boots, serve different purposes in radiation safety but do not provide the same level of radiation shielding as lead. Fabric gloves, lacking any substantial protective features against radiation, would be inadequate for nuclear medicine environments.