Answer to Question #5384 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

Other than lead, are there any other possible types of shielding that could be used for radiation protection?

Many other materials can be used for radiation shielding besides lead. It really depends upon the type of radiation that is being shielded, the energy of the radiation, and the level of dose reduction that is needed. Some materials that are used for shielding radiation other than lead are concrete, steel, gypsum wallboard, plastic, and many others. Below I've listed some examples where shielding other than lead is commonly used:

• Plastic or glass—When shielding beta-emitting radioactive materials, a half inch of plastic is typically all that is needed to completely stop the beta particles. Glass, such as glass vials containing beta-emitting radioactive materials, can also effectively shield most beta radiation.
   
• Gypsum wallboard—Gypsum wallboard can be used for shielding of certain low-energy x rays or for some facilities with limited radiation use. For example, it is fairly common to add an extra layer of gypsum wallboard and to install a solid wood door as shielding in a diagnostic mammography room which uses very low-energy x rays for imaging. 
   
• Concrete—For certain high radiation fields, the necessary thickness of lead may be so great that it becomes less expensive to use concrete. For example, shielding within some radiation oncology rooms may use a foot or two of concrete within the walls rather than several inches of lead for shielding.
   
• Other materials—Other types of building materials—such as concrete block, clay brick, tile, and steel—will also provide some shielding. Depending upon the type of radiation use and the radiation fields present for your specific situation, these materials may provide adequate shielding. For shielding of radiation sources, steel, titanium, and leaded glass may also be used for shielding purposes depending again upon the specific shielding needs. 

I would recommend that you contact a qualified individual such as a health physicist or medical physicist to evaluate your specific situation. You will typically find a health physicist employed within the safety department at larger facilities that use radiation and/or radioactive materials. If you are working at a medical facility, you may also have a medical physicist working for the radiology or the radiation oncology departments who may be able to help. Smaller medical or nonmedical facilities using radiation or radioactive materials will typically have a consulting health physicist who should be able to assist in determining the best type of shielding to meet your specific needs.

Jeff Brunette, CHP