The use of equipment and medical techniques that rely on the absorption, refraction and blocking of radiation has increased dramatically over the last few decades. The extreme precision that is now possible, along with other technological advances have reduced the amount of ionizing radiation that patients are regularly exposed to during diagnostic sessions. There are still some guidelines in place, however, that require medical institutions to provide a protective lead apron to patients if they meet certain criteria. This procedure is largely done to reduce or remove the chance of cellular damage due to extra x-ray scatter.
Pregnancy
Women who are pregnant and who must receive some type of radiological procedure must wear a lead apron in order to lower any damage that the particles might cause to the quickly dividing cells of the fetus. Radiation causes harm because it can damage the structure of cells. There is a chance that cells that reproduce quickly will replicate this damage and trigger genetic disorders or cancer, as malfunctioning cells spread throughout the body. This danger can be very real in the early stages of pregnancy, where cell division occurs at a very fast rate. It should be noted, however, that it does usually require a large amount of radiation exposure to trigger any cell damage to the fetus.
Dental Radiography
The amount of radiation that is generated from dental x-rays is not necessarily harmful to healthy individuals because it is so negligible. Most guidelines still require that a lead apron be worn during the procedure. This is because the radiation is isolated to a certain area of the body, and for the sake of safety the other nearby areas are protected because it is a simple and practical precaution. Some forms of advanced three-dimensional (3D) imaging actually produce larger amounts ionizing energy than more traditional two-dimensional (2D) techniques.
Reproductive Safety
Patients who are still of reproductive age are encouraged to wear a lead apron in order to protect the reproductive organs. These parts of the body have quickly dividing cells that can be damaged by small amounts of scattered x-rays. Individuals who are not of reproductive age or who have medical conditions that affect reproductive areas of the body do not necessarily need to wear protective clothing.
Children
Young children who must undergo radiological procedures usually need to be protected as much as possible. There is actually very little chance that the radiation will harm a child. Most hospitals and other medical institutions would rather provide more protection in the form of a lead apron, thyroid shield or leaded glasses than risk the chance than external x-ray scatter could trigger some condition.
Pregnancy
Women who are pregnant and who must receive some type of radiological procedure must wear a lead apron in order to lower any damage that the particles might cause to the quickly dividing cells of the fetus. Radiation causes harm because it can damage the structure of cells. There is a chance that cells that reproduce quickly will replicate this damage and trigger genetic disorders or cancer, as malfunctioning cells spread throughout the body. This danger can be very real in the early stages of pregnancy, where cell division occurs at a very fast rate. It should be noted, however, that it does usually require a large amount of radiation exposure to trigger any cell damage to the fetus.
Dental Radiography
The amount of radiation that is generated from dental x-rays is not necessarily harmful to healthy individuals because it is so negligible. Most guidelines still require that a lead apron be worn during the procedure. This is because the radiation is isolated to a certain area of the body, and for the sake of safety the other nearby areas are protected because it is a simple and practical precaution. Some forms of advanced three-dimensional (3D) imaging actually produce larger amounts ionizing energy than more traditional two-dimensional (2D) techniques.
Reproductive Safety
Patients who are still of reproductive age are encouraged to wear a lead apron in order to protect the reproductive organs. These parts of the body have quickly dividing cells that can be damaged by small amounts of scattered x-rays. Individuals who are not of reproductive age or who have medical conditions that affect reproductive areas of the body do not necessarily need to wear protective clothing.
Children
Young children who must undergo radiological procedures usually need to be protected as much as possible. There is actually very little chance that the radiation will harm a child. Most hospitals and other medical institutions would rather provide more protection in the form of a lead apron, thyroid shield or leaded glasses than risk the chance than external x-ray scatter could trigger some condition.
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