Characterization of the light and flexible nonlead aprons as an alternative to Pb-PVC

Radiation shielding is crucial for protecting healthcare professionals from scatter radiation during x-ray procedures. Conventional lead aprons, although effective, are limited by their high weight, low flexibility, and potential toxicity. Recent developments in composite materials using elements such as tungsten (W), bismuth (Bi), tin (Sn), antimony (Sb), and barium (Ba) offer promising nonlead alternatives with comparable radiation protection, while significantly improving both weight reduction and flexibility.

This study evaluates various applicable materials in lead free radiation shielding, including W, Bi, Ba, Sn, Gd, and Sb composites to determine the weight reduction in these types of aprons. By investigating the materials' compositions for radiation attenuation, the present study aims to contribute to the ongoing development of safer, lighter, and more flexible x-ray shielding solutions.

In this study, the mass and thickness of various nonlead shielding aprons were calculated for two standard protection levels included 0.35 and 0.5 mm lead equivalence across three diagnostic energy spectrums (80, 100, and 120 kVp). Python-based coding was employed to improve the accuracy of determining lead-equivalent thicknesses, while MCNP was utilized to evaluate the radiation attenuation and to simulate x-ray spectra. The generated spectra were further validated against reference data provided by SpekPy, one of the most advanced models recommended by the AAPM.

The results showed that increasing the lead equivalence from 0.35 to 0.5 mm increased shield mass by approximately 30%-50% for all materials. Certain composites, such as W-Sn-Gd₂O₃-PVC and Bi₂O₃-Sn-Gd₂O₃-PVC, demonstrated a favorable mass, maintaining competitive protection with noticeably lower mass than traditional lead-based shields. W-Sn-Gd₂O₃-PVC had the lowest mass in the 100 and 120 kVp spectra, and it had the lowest mass after Bi₂O₃-Sn-Gd₂O₃-PVC in the 80 kVp spectrum. On the other side, Bi₂O₃-BaSO₄-PVC and W-BaSO₄-PVC composites were the heaviest shields. These findings are consistent with prior literature reporting that nonlead aprons can achieve better attenuation in the diagnostic range while reducing user fatigue. Our data further confirm that composite designs can be optimized to balance shielding efficacy and ergonomics. Compared to previous studies, our results reinforce the potential of multi-element composites to achieve equivalent or superior attenuation performance per unit mass.

In conclusion, nonlead radiation shields, particularly those based on W-Sn-Gd₂O₃-PVC or Bi₂O₃-Sn-Gd₂O₃-PVC blends, can provide adequate radiation protection while offering substantial ergonomic benefits. Their reduced weight together with high flexibility may lower the risk of musculoskeletal strain in clinical staff, making them a viable alternative to traditional lead aprons in routine diagnostic practice.