How efficient are metal-polymer and dual-metals-polymer non-lead radiation shields?

Lead shields are often used to attenuate ionising radiations. However, to make lighter, recyclable and more efficient shields compared to lead, combinations of new metallic compounds together with polymer, for example, flexible polyvinyl chloride (PVC) have been developed recently. In this study, the capabilities of non-lead radiation shields made of one or two metallic compounds and polymer were evaluated.

Monte Carlo (MC)-based BEAMnrc code was used to build a functional model based on a Philips X-ray machine in the range of radiographic energies. The MC model was then verified by IPEM Report 78 as a standardised global reference. The MC model was then used to evaluate the efficiency of non-lead-based garments made of metallic compound and polymer (MCP) including BaSO₄ -PVC, Bi₂ O₃ -PVC, Sn-PVC and W-PVC, as well as dual-metallic compounds and polymer (DMCP) including Bi₂ O₃ -BaSO₄ -PVC, Bi₂ O₃ -Sn-PVC, W-Sn-PVC and W-BaSO₄ -PVC. The absorbed doses were determined at the surface of a water phantom and compared directly with the doses obtained for 0.5 mm pure lead (Pb).

Bi₂ O₃ -BaSO₄ -PVC and W-BaSO₄ -PVC were found to be efficient shields for most of the energies. In addition to the above radiation shields, Bi₂ O₃ -Sn-PVC was also found to be effective for the spectrum of 60 keV. Bi₂ O₃ -BaSO₄ -PVC as a non-lead dual metals-PVC shield was shown to be more efficient than pure lead in diagnostic X-ray range.

Combination of two metals-PVC, a low atomic number (Z) metal together with a high atomic number metal, and also single-metal-PVC shields were shown to be efficient enough to apply as radiation protection shields instead of lead-based garments.