Effectiveness of shielding materials against ¹⁷⁷Lu gamma rays and the corresponding distance relationship

The purpose of this study is to determine the dose reduction of different shielding materials at various distances from a ¹⁷⁷Lu photon radiation source.

Two protective aprons with lead equivalent thicknesses of 0.25 mm and 0.35 mm and tungsten-containing rubber (TCR) were used as shielding materials. A vial containing ¹⁷⁷Lu was sealed in a lead container so that a narrow beam went out through a 3 mm-diameter hole. The dose rate was measured at distances of 0, 10, 50, 100, and 200 cm from the source using a NaI scintillation survey meter to obtain the rate of dose reduction. TCR was tested with thicknesses ranging from 0.3 to 1.0 mm at 0.1 mm intervals and from 1.0 to 4.0 mm at 0.5 mm intervals.

At distances of 0, 10, 50, 100, and 200 cm, the dose reduction for the lead equivalent thickness of 0.25 mm were 32.7%, 54.5%, 93.1%, 97.9%, and 99.6%, respectively; and for the lead equivalent thickness of 0.35 mm were 53.4%, 70.6%, 95.6%, 98.9%, and 99.6%, respectively. Without any shielding, the dose rate decreased by 34.4% at 10 cm and by 88.8% at 50 cm from the radiation source. The dose reduction for the TCR thickness of 3.5 mm was 89.8% at 0 cm and 93.3% at 10 cm. The TCR thickness of 0.4 mm provided a dose reduction comparable to or greater than that of the 0.25 mm lead equivalent, whereas the TCR thickness of 1.0 mm or greater provided a dose reduction comparable to that of the 0.35 mm lead equivalent.

Achieving a reduction of 95% or more requires the 0.25 mm lead equivalent for a distance of 100 cm, the 0.35 mm lead equivalent for 50 cm, the TCR thickness of 0.3 mm for 100 cm, or the TCR thickness of 0.9 mm for 50 cm. Without wearing a protective apron, a reduction of approximately 95% is observed at distances greater than 100 cm. These findings would be useful for medical staff engaging in related activities.