Why are radiological technologists no longer using lead aprons on patients?
If you’ve ever had an X-ray, you’re probably familiar with the heavy apron that’s usually draped over you to protect your reproductive organs from unnecessary exposure to radiation. It might surprise you to know that this practice is changing. Kevin Lee, a Health Physicist and Radiation Safety Officer for Prisma Health, explained why shields are no longer needed for imaging tests.
Why are lead aprons no longer used during imaging tests?
“While patient shielding has been used for over 70 years, we better understand how radiation affects the human body,” Mr. Lee said. “For example, we now know that reproductive organs are less sensitive to radiation than once thought. We also have better equipment now than we did in the past. This equipment significantly reduces radiation exposure to the patient. Most modern X-ray, CT and fluoroscopy equipment automatically adjusts the amount of radiation it uses based on the body part being imaged. If a shield is in the way, the machine may automatically increase the amount of radiation due to the shield.”
Doesn’t shielding make me safer?
Most imaging exams use an amount of radiation that poses an extremely small to zero risk of effect and shields provide minimal protection.
What’s the harm in shielding?
There is little to no measurable exposure to reproductive organs far away from the part of your body being imaged and there is no identifiable benefit from using shielding.
If the part of your body being imaged is close to your reproductive organs, it is possible that the shield could interfere with the parts of your body that your doctor needs to be able to see. This may result in repeating your exam.
Won’t radiation exposure to my sperm or ovaries harm my future children?
For many years, it was thought that radiation could damage sperm or eggs, which in turn could be passed on to their future children. However, this effect has never been identified in humans after many years of studying it closely.
What if I’m pregnant?
The equipment we use now provides much less radiation than in the past and covering your belly or back may reduce the quality of the exam, increase the radiation exposure used while potentially requiring a repeat exam. Shielding your belly or back does not provide a benefit to the baby. So, it is better to not shield.
Does this recommendation apply to children?
Yes, however, if you’re in the room with your child during their imaging test, you will be asked to wear a shield. Why? Your child’s doctor has decided that the benefit from having the information from the image is much higher than any possible risk from the radiation, which is very small or zero. Because you aren’t being imaged, there is no need for you to get any radiation exposure, so you would be provided an apron to wear.
Will you still shield me or my child if I want you to?
“We do not recommend shielding during imaging exams and some imaging exams can never be done with shielding because of interference with the body part needing to be imaged,” Mr. Lee said. “However, if you insist that we shield you or your child, we will do so as long as it does not interfere with the image we are trying to see.”
Get more information from the American Association of Physicists in Medicine.
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