Why Do We Wear Lead Aprons?

Lead aprons and other lead-containing gear protects patients and caregivers from radiation during X-rays. Radiation exposure is cumulative and can damage the body, leading to cancer and other health problems.

History

• Lead protective gear for those working with X-rays was introduced by Antoine Béclère in the early 1900s. It has since been used to protect technicians and patients from the harmful effects of radiation exposure.

Purpose

• Radiation damages the human body, even at low exposures. And, the effects of radiation are cumulative. Therefore, doctors try to keep each person's exposure to radiation as low as reasonably achievable, a standard referred to as ALARA. Because lead blocks X-rays, doctors and dentists use lead aprons to reduce a person's overall exposure to X-rays.

Function

• Lead is a metal with a high density of electrons. X-rays have a very short wavelength, so they cannot penetrate the tightly-packed electrons in lead. Lead protective gear is, therefore, a good way to protect people from unnecessary exposure to X-ray radiation during medical or dental procedures.