Author/Authors :
Aghamiri، M. R. نويسنده Associate Professor of Medical Physics, Medical Physics & Engineering Department, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences , , Mortazavi، S. M. J. نويسنده , , Tayebi، M. نويسنده Master Student of Radiobiology and Radiation Protection, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , , Mosleh-Shirazi، M. A. نويسنده Assistant Professor of Medical Physics, Radiotherapy Department, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran , , Baharvand، H. نويسنده Assistant Professor of Polymer Chemistry, Iran Polymer Institute, Tehran, Iran , , Tavakkoli-Golpayegani، A. نويسنده Assistant Professor of Medical Engineering (Biomechanics), Medical Physics & Engineering Department, School of Medicine , , Zeinali-Rafsanjani، B. نويسنده The Center for Research on Radiological Sciences, School of Paramedical Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran ,
Abstract :
Background: Lead-based radiation shields are widely used in radiology departments
to protect both workers and patients from any unnecessary exposure to ionizing
radiation. Recently there has been a great deal of concern expressed about the
toxicity of lead. Human lead toxicity is well documented. In that light, production
of environmentally-friendly lead-free radiation shields with less weight compared to
conventional lead-based shields is a challenging issue. The aim of this study was to
design lead free flexible radiation shields for protection against X and gamma rays.
Methods: In this investigation, a wide variety of metallic compounds which
potentially could be appropriate radiation shields, were studied. The Monte Carlo
code, MCNP4C, was used to model the attenuation of X-ray photons in shields with
different designs. Besides simulation, experimental measurements were carried out to
assess the attenuation properties of each shielding design. On the other hand, major
mechanical properties of this shield such as tensile strength, modulus and elongation
at break were investigated.
Results: Among different metals, tungsten and tin were the two most appropriate
candidates for making radiation shields in diagnostic photon energy range. A
combination of tungsten (45%) and tin (55%) provided the best protection in both
simulation and experiments. In the next stage, attempts were made to produce appropriate
Tungsten-tin-filled polymers which could be used for production of shielding
garments. The density of this tungsten-tin-filled polymer was 4.4 g/cm3. The MCNP
simulation and experimental measurements for HVL values of this shield at 100 kVp
were 0.26 and 0.24 mm, respectively. On the other hand, this novel shield provides
considerable mechanical properties and is highly resistant to chemicals.
Conclusions: The cost-effective lead-free flexible radiation shield produced in
this study offers effective radiation protection in a diagnostic energy range. This
environmentally-friendly shield may replace the traditional lead-based shielding garments.
