Flexible and nonpoisonous X‐ray‐shielding membranes supported by bacterial cellulose (BC) were prepared, in which X‐ray‐shielding materials were of microcapsule structure by using polyvinyl alcohol as shell and lead salt as core. The effect of the wall/core interaction and the amount of cross‐linking agent were taken into consideration to find the optimal reaction conditions. The morphology, microcapsule size, and lead salt release properties were investigated. After supported by BC, the flexible and potable membranes for X‐ray radiation protection were prepared and the shielding properties were evaluated, which indicated a good X‐ray‐shielding material. We set up a new method to prepare flexible and portable X‐ray radiation protection membranes. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43120.