Lead Apron Buyer's Guide: Choosing the Right X-ray Protective Garments
A well-fitting lead apron is essential to protect healthcare professionals and patients from harmful X-ray radiation.
Choosing the appropriate X-ray garment for your staff and patients can be overwhelming, given the many different styles, weights, thicknesses, and brands available. Over the past decade, we’ve cleaned and repaired over a million X-ray garments and have firsthand knowledge of all different types and uses in the medical field.
Protection against radiation is the goal when choosing your traditional lead, lightweight lead, or lead-free apron, and we want to give you the information you need to make an informed decision.
Apron Styles
There are three primary X-ray apron styles: Frontal, Vest & Skirt/Kilt Sets, and Wraparound (Full Aprons). The most popular are typically vest & skirt/kilt sets and frontal aprons because clinicians find them more comfortable to wear during longer periods.
Frontal Aprons
Style: Front panel with open back
Coverage: Front body, collar to knee, exposed back
Use Case: A lighter option for when there's no backside exposure to the radiation source
Benefits: Lighter than other options due to reduced coverage
Vest & Skirt/Kilt Sets
Style: Two pieces, vest and skirt/kilt, with overlapping panels
Coverage: Full body, front and back, collar to knee
Use Case: High radiation environments, cases where protecting one’s back is necessary
Benefits: Full body radiation protection, distributes weight between two pieces to reduce musculoskeletal strain and alleviate weight from shoulders
Wraparound Aprons (Full Aprons)
Style: Two overlapping front panels and one back panel
Coverage: Full body, front and back, collar to knee
Use Case: High radiation environments
Benefits: Full body protection from radiation, easy to take on and off, typically used during pregnancy due to adjustability
What to Consider When Buying Lead Aprons
Protection from Radiation Exposure
Select the appropriate coverage and lead equivalence for the use case. Lead or lead-equivalent thickness directly impacts the ability to absorb and block radiation effectively.
Several factors must be considered to determine the required lead thickness for radiation protection. These factors include the intensity of radiation, energy level, duration of exposure, and the specific area of the body that needs protection. The calculation involves establishing an individual's maximum allowable radiation dose within a particular time.
Every facility has different protection requirements generally set by the Radiation Safety Officer. It's helpful to follow the ALARA principle, "As Low As Reasonably Achievable," when assessing the protection you need.
We recommend consulting your radiation safety officer for accurate calculations and optimal safety measures due to the complexity of the formula and the specialized knowledge required.
Attenuation Material Options
Attenuation is the material inside the apron that absorbs the radiation.
Manufacturers are developing more attenuation material options beyond traditional lead to reduce the garment's weight.
A study conducted by Mayo Clinic found that a percentage of radiology professionals reported job-related pain due to the weight of their lead aprons.
62% of technicians
60% of nurses
44% of attending physicians
The attenuation material options should all provide appropriate protection, depending on your requirements and the quality of the manufacturer. We have noticed that lightweight and lead-free garments tend to tear more quickly when not worn or stored properly. Fortunately, that can be prevented with proper care and storage.
| Attenuation Material | Weight | Components | Use Cases |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead | Heaviest | Lead | For patients or clinician only wearing it for a short period of time |
| Lightweight Lead | Lighter | Blend of lead and other heavy metals (depends on manufacturer) | Clinician looking for a lighter alternative |
| Lead-Free | Lightest | Blend of heavy metals, such as aluminum, antimony, barium, bismuth, tin, titanium, or tungsten (depends on manufacturer) | Staff looking for a lighter alternative, a more environmentally friendly option |
Traditional Lead
Traditional lead aprons utilize lead as the sole attenuating material for radiation protection, offering reliable shielding against radiation exposure. However, they are notably heavy, and prolonged use may lead to musculoskeletal issues such as back pain.
Lightweight Lead
Lightweight lead has become more popular because it's more comfortable for wearers. Lead is mixed with other metals, like antimony or bismuth, to make the attenuation material, to make the attenuation material lighter and more flexible. The metals mixed with the lead depend on the manufacturer.
Lead-Free
Lead-free aprons are growing in popularity as a lighter-weight and non-toxic alternative. The attenuation is a blend of other heavy metals, such as aluminum, antimony, barium, bismuth, tin, titanium, or tungsten.
These options are not as heavy as lead aprons and create less environmental pollution when recycled.
Comfort and Fit
The apron's fit should be snug to your body to distribute the weight evenly. We dive into specifics below. Heavier aprons are typically less comfortable for wearers when worn for a long period.
Neckline Height
The neckline should be high enough to provide seamless protection with a thyroid collar.
Armholes
Armholes should be snug but not restrict arm movement. They should also cover the axillary lymph nodes, which are sensitive areas for radiation exposure.
Shoulder Panel Width
The shoulder panel should be wide enough to distribute weight across the shoulder without restricting movement or causing discomfort.
Overlap
Each panel on an overlap should provide complete protection for the wearer.
Length
The aprons should cover from the collar to the knee.
Thyroid Collar
The thyroid collar should fit snugly against the neck but not be uncomfortable and provide some overlap with the top of your vest or apron.
Price
The cost of X-ray garments is dependent on the manufacturer, protective material, size, style, and even cosmetic factors such as fabric choice or embroidery. Traditional lead aprons are typically the least expensive, while lead-free garments tend to be higher in price. Our RPE Account Executives will work to find the best options within your budget.
FAQs
What are lead aprons used for?
Aprons and X-ray garments protect wearers from ionizing radiation, which can damage the body and potentially cause cancer. Aprons are worn by patients and staff who encounter X-ray radiation while receiving treatment or administering care.
How do lead aprons work?
Lead aprons absorb diagnostic X-rays to the parts of the body shielded by the apron. Lead or other attenuation materials are dense enough to block X-rays from reaching the body.
How often should I clean and repair my lead aprons?
Aprons should be wiped after each use using approved wipes.
Aprons should be deep cleaned by professionals four times a year.
Aprons should be repaired immediately upon visible damage, and X-ray scanned annually to detect any damage to the attenuation material.
How do I recycle or dispose of my lead aprons?
Lead is on the Toxic Substances List under the Environment Protection Act Registry, and it should not be disposed of as conventional garbage but as hazardous waste. When disposed of improperly, such materials pose contamination concerns for the environment.
Find a business, such as RCS, or apron manufacturer with an EPA-approved disposal program.
Purchase New X-ray Garments from RCS
RCS is a master distributor of radiation protective equipment, such as X-ray garments, protective eyeglasses, lead barriers, and more, from several major manufacturers.
Our dedicated team will help you navigate the endless options available for X-ray garments based on your needs.
We provide sizing and fitting support for lead garment purchases and quick turnaround times.
When you purchase new X-ray garments through RCS, we automatically asset tag and inventory them, perform annual X-ray scans to verify the garment's integrity, and load the data into our cloud-based portal (RADCOMPLY™) for your records.
