Best Personal Lead For Rad Techs – My Personal Recommendations
All Rad Techs need xray tech lead for protection against all the unseen and harmful radiations that they get exposed to, throughout the span of operating any type of radiology equipment. The procedure of operating the x-ray machine itself does not pose a threat to technologists. However, the radiation that they produce over a prolonged duration of operation is what makes the lead protection equipment necessary.
X-ray equipment produces radiation in the form of x-ray or gamma radiation. Over the years, several studies and medical organizations have revealed that exposure to such emissions for a prolonged time, specifically for rad techs is directly responsible for various health risks.
Some of the most common side effects of X-ray exposure include fainting, vomiting, hair loss, bleeding, and cataracts as well. However, the most alarming health risk of x-ray radiation is related to enhancing the chances of cancer development. Although the percentage of cancer development is rare when using radiological equipment such as Computed Tomography (CT) or Nuclear Medicine (NM), it is still a relevant health risk you cannot ignore.
The radiation affects every part of a rad tech’s exposed body. Hence, there is specific lead shielding equipment to ensure optimum protection for your body. These lead protective equipment come in the form of –
- Lead Apron
- Thyroid shield
- Lap-guard and chest piece
- Lead glasses
- Lead gloves
So, how does lead equipment work effectively in shielding you against the harmful radiation?
Lead has been the primary compound or material for manufacturing protective equipment for shielding rad techs against the harmful risks of x-ray and gamma-ray radiation for decades. One of the primary reasons why lead is such an effective material for blocking off the harmful radiation is due to their property of high atomic number (82) and high density.
Lead has a relatively small atomic radius which forces all the atoms to concentrate on a small area forming a strong bond. Such strong bonds between the adjacent atoms make the overall lead structure extremely dense and strong enough to scatter the gamma rays and x-rays. If radiation comes in direct contact with a person’s body, it can easily penetrate through the electrons inside them, causing some serious health complications.
However, with Lead protective equipment, the compact electrons within it can absorb the energy and scatter the radiations. Hence, it will block the radiation from coming in contact with the body. It is, however, crucial to note that lead vests will deteriorate over time after they are exposed for a prolonged duration.
Buying Guide to Purchase the Best Personal Lead for Rad Techs
The one thing you do not want to do is to simply search for lead medical equipment and purchase the first product you see on Amazon. Like any other type of shopping procedure, there are precise specifications and features you need to look for while researching to buy new personal lead equipment.
These are some of the key factors you should take into consideration before buying your ideal lead apron product from Amazon.
- The energy of the radiation you’re dealing with
If you’re particularly new to using lead aprons, you should know that they come in various thickness options. The thickness of lead equipment will depend essentially on the intensity of radiation you’re dealing with. For instance, a lead apron should have the following thickness for various applications –
For general purposes such as general medical diagnosis, Veterinary, or Dental x-ray machines that deal with radiation level below 100 kVp, a lead apron of 0.25mm thickness will be enough.
For x-ray machines that emit radiation between 100 – 140 kVp, the ideal thickness of the apron is 0.35mm.
For a high-intensity radiation level above 150 kVp, the required thickness is 0.5mm.
- Distance
It’s only logical! The closer you stand near the source of the radiation, the more protection (thickness) your lead apron will need to have to shield you effectively and vice-versa. Depending on how far you usually stand from the physical x-ray machines, you have to choose the best lead equipment thickness.
- Frequency of usage
Based on the frequency of your personal lead usage, you can determine the level of shielding your body needs. If you spend most of the day dealing with x-ray machines, you will certainly need a thick apron whose shielding capacity won’t degrade quickly. For periodic usage, the smaller thickness of lead equipment may be enough.
- Comfort
Being a rad tech, dealing with exposed radiation is uncomfortable enough. You do not need to feel physically strained when you’re doing your job. It is, therefore, vital to choose the product that is lightweight and made of genuine material to ensure optimum flexibility and comfort when using it.
- Budget
Always check for the apron that will give you the best value for the amount of money you spend. The prices of medical equipment, such as lead aprons will vary significantly with different brands. Look for brands that provide genuine products even if that means spending a few extra bucks. But, most importantly look for products that give you the best price: performance ratio to ensure you’re fully protected from harmful radiation without necessarily feeling like you have been robbed.
Best Lead Apron You can Buy Now on Amazon
In my two decades of working in medical imaging departments, I have never seen a department buy their lead protective gear anywhere but from a territory sales representative. Every hospital has a local salesperson who comes by and shows them catalogs of their products. Having seen this method for so long, I can’t believe more departments don’t buy their equipment from Amazon.
Why? Because Amazon is so much LOWER in cost. I’m telling you, these sales reps know we always buy our lead from them and there’s no incentive to lower the cost. For some reason, people tend to think that Amazon is not the place to go for medical equipment. Well, I’m here to tell you times have changed. I am absolutely comfortable buying my personal lead from Amazon. Aprons, glasses, thyroid shield… the whole enchilada. Not only is it cheaper but it gets delivered in two days!
So, start thinking outside the box. Quit buying lead from the company sales rep just because that’s what you’ve always done. You know what lead aprons are and what you want. Be smart and save some money. That’s what this next section is for. Heck, my first recommendation is cheaper than the sales rep AND comes with a free thyroid shield! Add your name and credentials to the gear. Customize it. Make it your own.
For those new to the field or just crawled out from under a rock, lead apron is basically like the traditional cotton apron that you use in the kitchen while cooking. The difference between the two lies in their build material and application. Lead apron as the name suggests is generally made from lead on the interior, and the exterior is manufactured from a thin rubber.
Techtongda Lead Radiation X-Ray Protection Apron
If you’re in the market looking for the best radiation protective Apron, the Techtongda no-lead apron is your one true purchase option. If you’re looking for the best-in-class x-ray protective apron, you cannot rule this out.
There are several reasons why this X-ray protection apron is one of the best purchase options on the market.
Design
The apron comes with a single and full-frontal lead radiation protection that extends down to the knee to ensure optimum protection coverage. The exterior of the apron is manufactured using high-quality rubber and professional fabrics to ensure a comfortable and flexible movement. The exterior quality overall feels genuine and certainly more convincing than other cheaper products. This makes it super easy to wipe down after each patient. You know how goobers can get around during certain exams and procedures. This apron is super easy to wipe down and you get it done quickly.
The back of the apron has a criss-cross design attached to a Velcro end to ensure you can adjust the fitting to your liking. This peculiar criss-cross back design helps in supporting your back comfortably, so you don’t feel like all the weight is on the front (even though it is.) This is a back saver!
The apron also comes with a small pocket on the left side, which can surprisingly come in handy when you’re working with patients. I use it for my markers, spare gloves and my phone if I don’t have another pocket to keep it in.
The apron has a dimension of 22.83” x 40.16” x 5.12” x 7.09” (length x height x shoulder length x neck length).
Weight distribution
Some of the cheaper products have inferior weight distribution design. However, the Techtongda lead radiation apron has a unique weight distribution mechanism by relieving most of the weight from the shoulders. The total weight of the apron is about 7.12 pounds or 3.2 kg, which is considered lightweight as compared to other more cumbersome aprons. The weight is distributed ergonomically to the hips to ensure your shoulders. This enables you to wear the unit for a prolonged duration without feeling physically strained.
Optimum Protection
The protection capacity is the ultimate feature you need to look for while purchasing an x-ray protection apron, and the Techtongda radiation apron does not disappoint. The apron comes with a 0.35mm lead equivalency capable of withstanding up to 140 kVp (Kilovolts, peak). This is more than sufficient to protect your body against the usual x-ray machines used in the majority of healthcare institutions.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Good weight distribution | No shoulder padding |
| Good back support | |
| Added thyroid shield |
Bosky X-ray protection Apron
(See on Amazon)
If you have a slightly lower budget or simply want to save some extra few bucks, the Bosky x-ray apron is the ideal product to consider. Even though the product comes with a cheaper price tag, it still comes loaded with all the bells and whistles you’d expect from a high-end apron.
Design
The Bosky x-ray protection apron provides complete frontal lead protection. The apron extends down to the knee as well for maximum coverage. The apron’s exterior is made of rubber and lead vinyl to ensure optimum quality and promote good flexibility and comfort for prolonged wearing routine. The apron also has a much-welcoming additional shoulder pad feature to provide utmost shoulder comfort.
The back of the apron features the usual criss-cross design to enable good back support along with proper weight distribution as well. The 6″ wide elastic belt with a Velcro adjustable mechanism allows you to adjust the strap over a wide range of fitting options to ensure the best tightness for your liking as well.
The apron has the dimension of 60 cm x 100 cm x 13 cm x 18 cm (length x height x shoulder x neck). The apron comes with a front pocket for a much-needed convenience factor.
Comfort
The Bosky x-ray protection apron is designed ergonomically to distribute the weight evenly throughout the body, instead of concentrating it onto a specific portion. The shoulder pads work excellently in eliminating the majority of the weight from your shoulders. The weight is redistributed uniformly to the back and the hips to allow a balanced apron structure when you’re wearing it. The excellent weight distribution mechanism, the shoulder pads, and the adjustable Velcro strap all work ideally well with each other to ensure a comfortable wearing venture even for a prolonged duration.
The apron weighs about 7 pounds (3.1 kg), which is considerably lighter than most lead apron, making it easy to put on or wear for a long duration without experiencing body/ shoulder fatigue.
Protection
Surprisingly, the protection capability of the Bosky x-ray radiation apron is even better than some higher-end products. The apron has a 0.5mm Pb equivalency protection capable of withstanding up to 150 kVp. This makes the apron an ideal application, even for high radiation exposure.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Excellent lead protection | Weak durability |
| Lightweight | |
| Ergonomic design |
Best X Ray Tech Lead Thyroid Shield You Can Buy Now on Amazon
Quickship Standard Thyroid Collar
Looking for a thyroid shield that not only provides you with the best radiation protection but also something that looks stylish? Well, in that case, the Quickship thyroid collar is your ideal product. The collar is the best in its class in terms of optimum protection.
Design
The Quickship thyroid collar is designed ergonomically to cover every inch of your exposed neck. The exterior portion of the collar is manufactured using high-quality soft fabrics to reduce the chances of production of any skin irritation while wearing.
The collar is also flexible to ensure optimum neck movement even when you’re wearing it. The collar has an adjustable Velcro strip design on the back to allow you to make your ideal adjustments, so you don’t necessarily feel like you’re being choked.
The collar also has a beautiful patterned design with a distinct Sapphire Diamond Ripstop color finishing that sets it apart from other bland thyroid shields.
The collar has a dimension of 8″ x 6″ (w x h) on the bib portion alone and has an overall length of 24″ from one end to another.
Comfort
The collar is featherweight weighing just about 0.55 lbs or 0.2 kg. This extremely lightweight feature, along with the soft fabric material, makes it an effortless job to wear them for a long duration without feeling suffocated or getting skin irritations.
Protection
The Quickship thyroid collar has an extremely impressive protection capacity with Pb equivalency of 0.5mm. This makes the collar capable of protecting your thyroid under heavy x-ray radiation exposure of up to 150 kVp.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| High-quality fabrics | None |
| Excellent protection | |
| Stylish design |
Classical Thyroid Shield Collar
(See on Amazon)
If you don’t want to invest too much of your pocket money on a thyroid shield, but still want a decent product that will do the job effortlessly, the Classic thyroid collar by SY is your dream product. The collar comes with a significant cut in its price tag, but still offers every feature you would need from a standard thyroid shield, making it the best overall priced product.
Design
The design of the collar is unsophisticated at best. It does not boast of anything fancy in terms of its exterior design, but it is highly practical. The collar is designed to cover most of your exposed front neck, as well as rear portion as well. Nylon is the primary material for manufacturing the collar, which also gives it a soft finishing to ensure optimum comfort while wearing.
The rear neck-straps can be adjusted via a Velcro mechanism to obtain your ideal neck fitting. The overall material is soft and relatively flexible, so you get an ample breathable room for your neck to move around even while wearing it.
The collar has a solid royal blue color finishing with a smooth and bold black-border to ensure additional comfort and durability as well.
Comfort
The classical thyroid collar is one of the most lightweight radiation collar units weighing just about 11.2 ounces or 0.3 kg. This makes it extremely practical to wear them for long hours without any neck strain.
Protection
The Classical thyroid collar is one of the only few products that guarantees 99.94% radiation reduction capability. It also procures to the standard FDA ASTM protection level with the best-in-class lead equivalency of 0.5 mm.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Optimum protection | Average exterior quality |
| Excellent value for money | |
| Comfortable |
Best Lap Guard and Chest Piece You Can Buy Now on Amazon
Front Demi-Guard Half Apron
The Demi lap guard by Colortrieve is the best-in-class x-ray protection lap shield with optimum lap shielding capability. If you don’t want to bother yourself with a full apron, go with this Demi lap shielding unit.
Design
The Demi lap guard is a simple squared shape apron that covers almost the majority of the frontal lap area. The exterior is manufactured using good quality fabrics to ensure a flexible and comfortable material to wear throughout the day.
The apron can be adjusted using a 1” buckle mechanism located on the rear of the apron. The product also comes with a waist ring adjustable mechanism option, but the buckle option is more convenient.
Apart from that the apron also comes with a mind-boggling 41 color options. The apron has a dimension of 12” x 12” and weighs just 2 pounds (0.9kg).
Protection
The Demi x-ray radiation lap guard comes with the standard protection capacity of 0.5 mm lead equivalency @140kVp.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Comfortable wear | Less pad coverage |
| 41 color options | |
| Good protection |
Adult chest piece lead x-ray guard
(See on Amazon)
The adult lead breast shield from Colortrieve is the best-in-class chest piece if you want to buy a hassle-free lead protection unit to protect your chest in particular from the harmful radiation.
Design
The design of the chest piece is as simple and practical as it can get. Instead of carrying bulky lead equipment around your neck, the Colortrieve x-ray guard has a circular chest piece to cover your chest specifically. The chest piece has a dimension of 6” x 7” and available in different sizes as per your size requirements.
The material used is of soft fabric and provides good comfort. Although the neck and the shoulder may be subjected to fatigue if worn for a long period due to the absence of protective paddings.
Protection
The chest piece provides the best-in-class radiation protection with a lead equivalency of 0.5 mm capable of exposure to high-intensity radiation of up to 150kVp.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Optimum protection | No neck/shoulder padding |
| Simple and practical design | |
| Good fabric material |
Quick-Ship Lap Guard
Quick-ship is one of those unique radiological instrument brands that you can trust blindfolded when it comes to delivering a high-end product at the most reasonable pricing. This Quick-ship lap guard gives you the best value for money.
Design
Deviating from the usual and rather uninspiring design of the traditional lap guard, the Quick-ship has a gradient blue pattern finishing that makes it a standout. Of course, styling won’t be your primary concern when wearing a lead lap guard, but it is assuring to know you have that box ticked as well.
The lap guard has a smooth and high-quality fabric material finish that provides good flexibility and superior comfort as well. It also has a good frontal coverage, unlike the other lap guards that make you feel like you’re wearing a high-school skirt.
The size can be adjusted via a 1” buckle mechanism attached to the rear of the lap guard. The belt measures 59-1/2” in length, making it extremely easy to adjust between a wide range of waist sizes.
Protection
The Quick-Ship lap guard comes with the standard 0.5 mm lead equivalency scattering/ blocking radiation of up to 99.9% and ideal for usage in high radiation emission of up to 150kVp.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Best price overall lap guard | None |
| Flexible and comfortable fabrics | |
| Stylish design |
Long Scolio Breast Shield
(See on Amazon)
If you want the best chest/breast protection during your x-ray procedure without much hassle, simply go for the Long Scolio breast shield. It has all the standard features plus it comes with a trimmed-down price tag, making it the best overall price chest shielding equipment.
Design
The design of the Scolio breast shield is the best in terms of comfort and utmost practicality. The adult size has a 7.5” wide lead protective strap that covers your entire chest portion. The chest shield is made out of soft fabric material that provides good flexibility and promotes excellent comfort while wearing.
The shield extends down quite significantly. Hence, it also performs the function of protecting your lungs as well. The breast shield also comes with a 2” buckle closure and a 58” long belt to help you adjust the shield fitting to your ideal waist requirement.
The unit weighs about 5 pounds or 2.26 kg (shipping weight) which is not the lightest chest piece, but still, the uniform weight distribution helps in proving comfortable wear.
Protection
The Scolio breast shield comes with the standard 0.5mm Pb equivalency @150 kVp.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Optimum beast and lungs protection | Heavy |
| Ergonomic design | |
| Affordable pricing |
Best X Ray Tech Lead Glasses You Can Buy Now on Amazon
Nike Brazen Radiation Glasses
Nike and radiation glasses – Seem like an unusual pair, doesn’t it? With the kind of branding quality and trust that Nike has obtained over its course of existence, it comes to no surprise that this Brazen lead glass is one of the best in its class. If you don’t mind shelling out some considerable amount for a radiation glass to ensure optimum safety, comfort, and (of course) a reputed brand name you can trust, the Nike Brazen lead glass is your ideal choice of radiation goggles.
Design
The Nike Brazen Lead glass has an all matte black finishing design with its brand logo on the left temple. The glass provides excellent front protection by covering the entire eye section. The size of the glass is similar to the conventional goggles, so you get the gist. The Nike Brazen lead glass also has a curved design to ensure the optimum fitting and also promotes a stylish outlook as well.
The glass is manufactured using the highest quality of sturdy and durable frames to ensure good impact resistance in case of any accidental falls. It has a smooth exterior finishing that allows optimum comfort for your eyes and, especially your ears.
The nose bridge has a ventilated design with a rubberized finishing to ensure proper air circulation and also to make sure good nose comfort for a prolonged wearing duration.
Vision and comfort
The Nike Brazen lead glass is manufactured from a high-end corning lens. It is the first-in-its-class lead goggles that make use of a corning lens to ensure maximum vision efficiency. This corning lens comprises of ultra-refined lead oxide that promotes not only optimum optical clarity but also ensures superior eye protection.
The glass is exceptionally lightweight, weighing just about 4.5 ounces or 0.12 kg, making it an effortless and painful process to wear them for long periods.
Optimum protection
The Nike Brazen lead glass comes with the standard protection figure of 0.75mm Pb equivalency which is capable of scattering or blocking out 99.9% of the harmful radiations emitted from fluoroscopic procedures.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Sturdy frames | Hefty price tag |
| Excellent fitting | |
| Optimum protection |
RG-808 Silver Wrap Around Lead Protective Glass
(See on Amazon)
The RG-808 is a more economical, yet identically practical lead protective glass option of the previous product. This lead goggles from Philips gives the best overall price purchase option in the lead glass section.
Design
The design of the RG-808 has a familiar curved and streamlined design for ensuring a good enclosed and tight-fitting for medium-large sized heads. The glass comes in three different color options – red, black, and silver. The sides of the glass have a contrast color finishing (black line finishing for silver goggles).
The frame of the glass is manufactured using a highly sturdy and durable TR-90 nylon that provides superior impact-resistance for any accidental falls. The overall build quality of the glass is well constructed and feels genuinely durable. The lead glass also provides excellent eye covering design to ensure maximum eye protection. The glass has the dimension of 6” x 2” x 2.”
Vision and Comfort
The RG-808 lead glass has an excellent rubberized finishing in strategic places to ensure good eye, nasal, and ear comfort. The streamlined and contrast color finishing on the sides has a rubberized finishing that allows good support and comfort to your ears. The nose-pad also has a rubberized finishing for optimum nose comfort for prolonged wearing ventures.
The glass has an acceptable lightweight capacity weighing just about 6.4 ounces or 0.18 kg.
The glass uses a 1.80 high index lens that provides superior vision efficiency with the ability to enhance the visible light clarity by 20%.
Protection
The RG-808 has an excellent eye protection capacity with the best-in-class 0.75 mm lead equivalency with 150 kVp capable of withstanding the highest intensity level of radiation.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Optimum protection | Not the most durable |
| Good rubberized finishing | |
| Streamlined design |
Best X Ray Tech Lead Gloves You Can Buy Now on Amazon
Angiographic leaded radiation safety gloves
(See on Amazon)
The Angiographic lead radiation safety gloves from ProTech Medical is your go-to lead glove if you want something that can provide the best radiation protection and comfort for your hands. It is the best-in-class in terms of protection and overall glove quality with a genuine brand name you can trust.
Design
The design, well, it’s a glove so, there’s not much to point out. The glove has an all-black leatherette finishing giving it a premium look. The foam liner provides good hand/ finger comfort when wearing, and the length extends far down to ensure full coverage of your hands.
The one-piece dip-molded leatherette material has a good and quality feel to it, ensuring excellent durability without gaining easy scratches or tears as well. The glove has one fit ideal for medium-large sized hands.
Comfort
The glove has a spacious opening to ensure you can slip your hands in or out with utmost ease. This also provides a good breathable space for your hands to operate for long hours without getting sweaty and uncomfortable. It has an acceptable padding design to ensure good wearing comfort as well. It weighs about 3 pounds or 1.3 kg.
Protection
The glove comes with the best-in-class radiation protection capacity with a lead equivalency of 0.5mm capable of application up to 140kVp radiation exposure.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Good protection | Bland design |
| Comfortable to wear | |
| ISO certified |
Greeest X-ray protective gloves
The Greeest x-ray protective glove has the best overall price if you want a quality glove at affordable pricing. In fact, the Greeest radiation glove provides almost all the high-end features that other products at its price range does not.
Design
The x-ray glove is made from a special fabric that gives it a unique appearance as opposed to the conventional leather and rubber(ish) finishing. The glove has an adequate extension to cover almost ¾ portion of your arm. The foam liner ensures good comfort and also provides additional protection against injury and accidents.
Comfort
Unlike other leatherette gloves, the special fabric finish material on Greeest x-ray gloves provides excellent internal padding and good comfort. The glove’s opening has a generous space to ensure good air circulation inside. This makes it an ideal glove to wear for prolonged machine operation usage.
The glove has superior flexibility to help you move around your fingers comfortably. It weighs about 4.1 pounds during shipping which is about 1.8 kg. So, yes, not the lightest glove product.
Protection
The glove adheres to the protection standards of FDA ASTM and comes with 0.5mm lead equivalency, capable of usage under any high-intensity x-ray radiation exposure.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Excellent value for money | A little heavy |
| Soft and comfortable material |