Lead aprons for use by radiologists and patients in a hospital X-ray department. People working with X-rays, or who are having an X-ray taken of part of their body, should wear protective clothing to protect them against the harmful effects of X-ray radiation. Lead is a very dense metal, which makes it suitable for use in X-ray shields. Prolonged exposure to X-rays can damage the reproductive organs, leading to infertility, and may result in a slightly increased risk of cancer.