We understand that this change may be surprising for patients who are used to wearing a lead apron while having an X-ray. Over the last 70 years, science and healthcare has come a long way in using better X-ray equipment and technology, while also capturing higher-quality images. We now use much less radiation and know more about how radiation affects the human body. Importantly, some parts of the body - like the testicles and ovaries - are less sensitive to radiation than we used to think.

Most modern imaging machines now automatically determine how much radiation to use based on the part of the body being imaged. If a shield gets in the way, it could mean an increase in radiation dose.

Since we started using X-ray imaging 70 years ago, the amount of radiation used has decreased significantly, and in most imaging exams is so small that the risk to the patient is either very small or zero.

This is a valid question, and there are a few reasons why we do not recommend shielding:

1. A shield may cover up parts of your body that your doctor needs to see. If this happens, we may have to repeat the X-ray, which results in another dose of radiation.
2. When the reproductive organs are far away from the part of your body being imaged, there is no benefit from shielding because the radiation dose is so low.

It is valid to be concerned that radiation could damage sperm or eggs and impact future children, and luckily this has been studied extensively over the years. The good news is that there is no evidence that this is true, even for people who have been exposed to much larger amounts of radiation than what is used in medical imaging.

We understand patients have more questions and concerns when an unborn family member is involved. The short answer is that not shielding your belly while pregnant  poses no harm to you or the baby. On the flip side, shielding your belly doesn’t provide any benefit. X-ray equipment provides better information than ever before and can capture quality images using much less radiation than in the past. Placing shielding over your belly could cover up the part of your body that your doctor needs to see. If this happens, the X-ray may have to be repeated, resulting in another dose of radiation.

For all of the reasons mentioned above, based on evidence and improved technology, we do not recommend using lead shielding during X-rays. But, if you maintain that we use a shield in your X-ray exam, we will honour your request if it is possible to do so without compromising the exam.

We understand that it may be surprising to some caregivers to learn that their child or loved one will not be wearing a lead apron/shield for their X-ray. We know more about radiation now than ever before and have advanced imaging equipment and technology that uses much less radiation than in the past. Shields can cover up parts of your loved one’s body that are important for your doctor to see. If this happens, the X-ray may have to be repeated, resulting in another dose of radiation.

Your child or loved one’s doctor wants an image so that he or she can better see what is going on inside your child’s body. This exposes your loved one to a little bit of radiation. Since we started using X-ray imaging 70 years ago, the amount of radiation used has decreased significantly, and in most imaging exams is so small that the risk to the patient is either very small or zero. Your doctor has weighed the benefits and risks to your loved one and determined that the benefit from having the information from the image is much higher than the risk from the radiation. Because you aren’t being imaged, there is no need for you to be exposed to any radiation and so we give you an apron.

We understand that this change may be surprising for caregivers who are used to their child or loved one wearing a lead apron while having an X-ray. Over the last 70 years, science and healthcare has come a long way in using better X-ray equipment and technology, while also capturing higher-quality images. We now use much less radiation and know more about how radiation affects the human body. Importantly, some parts of the body - like the testicles and ovaries - are less sensitive to radiation than we used to think.

Most modern imaging machines now automatically determine how much radiation to use based on the part of the body being imaged. If a shield gets in the way, it could mean an increase in radiation dose.

For all of the reasons mentioned above, based on evidence and improved technology, we do not recommend using lead shielding during X-rays. But, if you maintain that we use a shield in your child or loved one’s X-ray exam, we will honour your request if it is possible to do so without compromising the exam.