There are different materials used for radiation shielding that can be used for different kinds of radiologic applications. Various advances in technology, as well as more sophisticated applications, must have contributed to the improved standard treatment and offer benefits to the patient.
However, any radiation use always comes with many risks. People who use radiation should be trained adequately in radiation physics, radiation safety, the various biological effects of radiation, and also injury prevention for ensuring the safety of the patient.
One of the major principles of mitigating these external radiation exposures can be providing shielding with Lead drywall or absorber material that can effectively reduce radiation exposure.
Let us discuss a few materials that can be used as lead shielding applications.
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Radiation shielding materials
During various diagnostic imaging in various clinics, hospitals, and dental offices, people commonly use radiation shielding garments for protecting medical patients as well as workers to get exposure from direct or secondary radiation.
Historically, Lead sheetrock has got the necessary attenuating qualities that have made it one of the elements of selection for radiation protection.
Various advances in the technology of radiation shielding material, however, have produced 2 alternative materials:
- Lead composite
- Lead-free radiation shielding
Now there are many options for medical professionals when it comes to choosing their garments for radiation shielding.
1. Traditional lead shielding
Lead is quite a soft, corrosion-resistant, and malleable material. Its high density makes it a very useful shield against any X-ray or gamma-ray radiation and quite suitable for X-Ray Room Walls.
In its pure form, lead is brittle and hence cannot be used as apparel. For transforming lead into a certain wearable radiation shielding material certain additives and binders are mixed to make a very flexible lead vinyl sheet.
Typically, there are 3 standard lead equivalency protection levels for traditional shielding garments of lead:
- The thickness of 0.25mm
- The thickness of,0.35mm
- The thickness of 0.5mm.
2. Lead composite shielding
Typically, lead composite shielding will be a certain mixture of lead and some other lighter metals. Such lead-based composite blends can be a proprietary mixture of a few heavy metals and lead that attenuate radiation.
Based on the manufacturer, the lead composite blend may vary as they must have developed their proprietary blends that can include a mixture of tin, lead, PVC vinyl, rubber, and a few other attenuating metals.
3. Non-lead and lead-free shielding
Almost similar to any proprietary blends of any lead-based composite shielding materials, a few non-lead and also lead-free shielding materials can offer the same level of protection.
Non-lead shielding materials are usually manufactured by using certain additives and binders. Such metals may also include tin, antimony, tungsten, bismuth, or a few other elements.
Both these non-lead aprons as well as lead-free aprons can be recycled and are also safe as non-hazardous disposal.
All these core material options that are discussed all have their unique benefits and features. You may consider several factors when making your choice including the procedure being performed, frequency of the procedure, and length of the procedure.