Does Radiation Shielding Work?

Many medical procedures involve equipment like X-rays, C-arms, and fluoroscopy that emit harmful scatter radiation. You may have heard that wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) like a lead apron or thyroid shield can help reduce the radiation dose received. However, does radiation shielding work? 

We’ll provide all the information you should know in this guide, such as the different types of shielding you can use, the effectiveness of each one, and how our services at RCS can help keep your protective garments safe and effective. Continue reading for the details. 

What Are the Types of Radiation Shielding Materials?

Lead is one of the most common radiation-shielding materials. It remains one of the most used types of radiation shielding because of its high density. When X-rays or gamma rays emitted by medical equipment interact with lead in protective garments like lead aprons or thyroid collars, it can effectively slow them down and absorb their energy before they reach the wearer’s body. 

Alternative materials are also becoming more popular. Common alternatives to lead shielding are:

• Tin

• Antimony

• Barium

• Copper

• Bismuth

• Yttrium

• Tungsten

Each of these materials also has a high density to slow and absorb X-rays and gamma rays. They’re also much lighter than lead, so using them can help reduce fatigue for clinicians who wear PPE for an extended time throughout the day. 

A study published in 2023 showed that lead-free options performed similarly to traditional lead during low-intensity procedures. However, when voltages increased above 90 kVp, traditional lead performed a bit better. 

Although there are similar shielding capabilities for low-intensity procedures, clinicians still need traditional lead aprons, thyroid collars, and other PPE during certain procedures. It’s important to consult your facility’s radiation safety officer for the best guidance on the proper protective equipment and materials to use for each procedure. 

What Are the Radiation Protection Devices Used in Radiology?

When reviewing radiation shielding PDFs and other resources, you’ll see several types of protective devices recommended for medical procedures. Common radiation protection devices in radiology include:

Lead Aprons

Wearing lead aprons is an essential protection measure in procedures using X-rays, C-arms, or fluoroscopy because they protect a large portion of the body. They typically hang from the shoulders down to just above the knees, allowing them to shield many radio-sensitive organs, such as the: 

• Breasts

• Gonads

• Heart

• Lungs 

• Kidneys

Lead aprons can come with only frontal protection or in wraparound styles. Wraparound aprons provide the most protection during procedures where clinicians often turn their backs to the radiation source. 

Lead aprons can also come in one-piece or two-piece styles. Wearing two-piece aprons or using accessories like a belt can help reduce fatigue and shoulder strain for clinicians who wear them for extended amounts of time. Therefore, many options are available to accommodate the varying needs of medical staff members. 

Thyroid Shields

The thyroid gland is one of the most sensitive organs in the body to ionizing radiation.A thyroid shield is a protective collar that wraps around the neck, safeguarding the vulnerable thyroid area. Thyroid collars may also be made from the alternative lead-free materials discussed earlier. 

Thyroid shields are necessary because lead aprons usually don’t cover the front of the neck where the thyroid gland is located. It’s especially important during procedures like interventional surgery using C-arm guided fluoroscopy, where clinicians may have their neck directly exposed to the radiation source while operating on a patient. 

A study from the European Journal of Medical Research found that certain positions of the radiograph tube during procedures expose the thyroid to higher radiation doses. For instance, when the radiograph is above the patient, which is necessary and unavoidable during certain procedures, the clinician’s thyroid and eyes are four to five times more exposed. 

Lead Glasses

As mentioned in the previously cited study from the European Journal of Medical Research, the eyes can also be greatly exposed to radiation during medical procedures. 

A study in 2020 found that ongoing radiation exposure to the eyes of medical or interventional radiologists could lead to several adverse health effects, such as:

• Cataracts

• Glaucoma

• Optic neuropathy

• Retinopathy

• Angiopathy

Lead glasses or goggles help shield a clinician’s eyes while operating over a patient or near a radiation source to prevent those negative health outcomes. 

As an alternative to lead glasses, a study in 2022 also indicated that a full lead visor that covers the eyes may be as or more effective than lead glasses. Therefore, clinicians have some options to choose from for comfort and protective needs for the eyes. 

Lead Gloves

The clinician’s hands are highly exposed to radiation in several procedures. 

A study from JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions assessed several types of procedures to determine the radiation dose physicians received. Researchers found that endovascular procedures for upper limb, pelvic, and below-the-knee diseases all resulted in significant radiation exposure. Pelvic operations resulted in the highest dose to the hands. 

Based on those results, clinicians may want to consider wearing lead gloves to shield their hands from radiation during certain high-dose operations. 

Furthermore, OSHA recommends wearing lead gloves when using some X-ray equipment, particularly when the medical worker must put their hands directly in the beam. However, they noted that lead gloves may interfere with some fluoroscopy equipment, causing it to automatically operate at a higher intensity that puts more radiation into the entire room. Thus, the decision to wear lead gloves should be made on a case-by-case basis. 

How Effective Are Radiation Protection Methods in Radiology?

The radiation protection methods mentioned above are effective when used correctly for procedures requiring them. Here are some effectiveness statistics for the different types of radiation protection in radiology: 

• Lead aprons: A study from the Journal of Clinical Orthopedic Trauma states that 0.5 mm lead aprons can attenuate up to 99% of the potential radiation dose. 

• Thyroid shields: A study published in the Korean Journal of Pain found that thyroid shields could reduce the radiation dose by 2.5 times. Another study in 2013 showed even better results with traditional lead thyroid shields that fit snugly, reducing radiation doses by approximately 8.5 times. 

• Lead glasses and visors: Research from Physica Medica found that 0.75 mm lead glasses reduced the radiation dose to the eyes by approximately 1.6 times, and a full lead visor reduced the radiation dose by 4.5 times. 

• Lead gloves: A recent study published in July 2024 showed that wearing lead gloves reduced the radiation dose to physicians by 27.6%. Another study in February 2025 showed even better results, with lead gloves reducing the radiation dose to the hands by approximately 80%. 

What Are the 3 Basic Principles of Radiation Protection? 

The CDC recommends practicing ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable) guidelines when clinicians work around equipment that emits scatter radiation. The 3 basic principles of radiation protection under ALARA are time, distance, and shielding. Each of these principles contributes as follows:

• Time: Minimize the amount of time exposed to the radiation source. Medical facilities and clinicians can work to achieve this by preparing for procedures and operating as efficiently as possible. 

• Distance: Increasing the distance between yourself and the radiation source reduces the dose received. AORN recommends staying 6 feet away when possible. However, certain procedures like C-arm guided fluoroscopy require the physician to operate close to the radiation source, so other protective measures must be used in those cases. 

• Shielding: PPE like lead aprons, thyroid shields, glasses, and gloves help shield the wearer from scatter radiation. Medical facilities should work to educate staff members about the necessity of protective garments and procedures where it’s essential to wear them. 

It’s important to note that medical facilities must maintain PPE so it’s as safe and effective as possible. 

PPE like lead aprons can accrue damage like cracks, holes, or tears with regular use. A study by Radiography Open showed that this kind of damage can reduce a garment’s effectiveness. Therefore, you must conduct annual inspections for garments like lead aprons and thyroid shields to identify damage and get it repaired. 

Furthermore, garments accumulate dirt, germs, and contaminants during regular use. A study by Dr. Jaber assessed 25 lead aprons in a medical facility, finding that 84% were contaminated with Tinea species (ringworm) and Stapheous aureas, and 12% were contaminated with MRSA. To prevent the buildup of dangerous microorganisms like those, you need to perform quarterly deep cleaning and disinfection. 

How Our Services at RCS Can Help

We can help keep your protective garments clean, inspected, and effective at Radiological Care Services (RCS). 

Our services include:

• Deep cleaning and disinfection

• Annual inspections using X-ray scanning

• Garment disposal

• Garment repair

• Inventory management with our RADCOMPLY™ software

All our services follow recommendations from governing bodies like the CDC and AORN to ensure safety and effectiveness. We know cleaning, inspecting, and maintaining garments can become costly and time-consuming for medical facilities, so we’re here to make it more efficient for you to manage while ensuring all proper guidelines are followed. 

Contact us today to learn how RCS can make a difference for you.