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Deciding Between Full and Front Protection X-Ray Lead Aprons

Written by Ryan Pryor on December 10, 2021
Category: X-Ray Lead Aprons

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X-ray protection aprons are manufactured in a wide range of styles, sizes, and materials. When purchasing new x-ray aprons, its important to first decide the type of coverage you or your patients will be requiring. There are three general groups that aprons may be categorized based on the type or amount of radiation protection they offer: front protection x-ray aprons, full protection x-ray aprons, and specialty x-ray lead aprons

Front Protection X-Ray Lead Aprons

Front protection x-ray aprons provide protection to only forward-facing body parts. This kind of apron is ideal for imaging procedures where the patient or technician will not be required to turn, move, or ever face away. 

 

They are available in three different closures: buckles, straps (ties), and Velcro (hook & loop) and have features to allow adjustments to the fit for added comfort and security. Front protection aprons are designed to be a time and money saving solution while sufficiently protecting the wearer. 

Full Protection X-Ray Lead Aprons

Full protection lead x-ray aprons provide the greatest amount of radiation exposure coverage among the other styles of aprons because they offer front and back radiation protection. These aprons shield the wearer completely as they need to move around or turn away in an imaging office. For wearers in the surgical field, full protection aprons have a quick release drop option designed so the apron can easily be removed without compromising sterility. 

 

Full protection aprons come in three different styles: full wrap lead aprons, full wrap vests, and full wrap shirts. The full wrap apron provides the most complete protection, but it can limit the wearer's mobility. Vests and skirts offer more flexibility to the wearer with such sitting, bending, or stooping. 

Specialty X-Ray Aprons

Other types of x-ray protection aprons that protect specific areas of the body are categorized as specialty apparel garments. These types of aprons protect reproductive organs and other vulnerable body parts.  

A lap guard half apron is perfect for someone only requiring lower body protection. Most lap guards feature a unisex design and multiple sizes to meet multi-purpose needs even including protection specifically made for pregnant women. 

 

Other specialty accessories are for protecting specific parts of the body such as gonadal guards, breast guards, and thyroid collars, or thyroid guards which offer the wearer needed thyroid protection.

X-Ray Apron Core Material

Along with the coverage type, it is important to choose what kind of media is inside a protective garment. Techno-Aide offers three different types of protective media: regular lead, no-lead, and lightweight lead

 

It's a common misconception that there is one big piece of solid lead inside of safety garments. We proudly manufacturer our garments with multiple layers of flexible material to ensure that wearers get the best pliability and comfort from any apron.  

 

The standard in radiation protection are aprons manufactured with 100% lead. X-ray lead aprons are the heaviest garments; however, you can choose lightweight lead instead of regular lead for a lighter apron. 

 

If you are interested in a no-lead option, Techno-Aide's Lead-Free aprons are a great solution for patients and radiology personnel who prefer a lead-free x-ray apron option that provides the same level of protection and lead equivalency as other x-ray lead aprons. These aprons are proven to function equal to traditional leaded aprons, given their proven ability to attenuate radiation and protect at levels that are equal to lead against secondary scatter radiation. 

 

Lightweight lead and no-lead are great options to help prevent back and body pain for radiology personnel who wear aprons for long interventional radiology procedures. All of our products can be made out of lead or lead-free apron materials which allows you to confidently have the right  apron no matter the desire or budget.

X-Ray Lead Apron Sizes and Colors

Finally, make any x-ray apron customizable by choosing among multiple unisex sizes, popular colors, and different fabrics. Find the correct size for garments by using this x-ray apron sizing guide. There are measurements for skirts, pregnancy aprons, thyroid guards, and other specialty guards and drapes. 

 

There are also choices for the type of fabrics such as standard nylon, comfort nylon, reinforced nylon, and specialty nylon in varying colors and patterns to suit your needs. For even more custom protection apparel, you can embroider your apron or garment to personalize it even more. 

Techno-Aide X-Ray Lead Aprons

Learn even more about our aprons from the Apron Quality Verification process or watch the full Apron Construction video.

Shop our full collection of Radiation Protection X Ray Lead Aprons today.