Medical Radiation Shielding

Medical shielding is a critical component of radiation safety in healthcare settings, designed to protect patients, staff, and the public from exposure to ionising radiation. From X-ray machines in dental practices to advanced radiology, nuclear medicine, and radiotherapy systems in hospitals, effective shielding is essential to ensure safety and compliance with regulatory standards.

The choice of shielding material depends on the type and energy of radiation being used. For X-ray devices, lead plasterboard with varying code lead thicknesses is commonly employed, offering effective protection against lower-energy radiation. In higher-energy applications, such as PET imaging (511 keV), thicker lead chevron blocks are required to ensure adequate shielding.

For linear accelerators (linacs), concrete is typically used to construct shielded bunkers with passive safe labyrinth design, providing robust protection against high-energy photons. When linacs operate above certain energy thresholds, neutron shielding becomes important. In these cases, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) is often utilised due to its excellent neutron attenuation properties.

By selecting the appropriate materials, medical shielding ensures safety, efficiency, and compliance with regulatory standards across a variety of healthcare applications.