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Development of Light Weight Non-Lead-Based Bilayered Radiation Protective Aprons

SENTHILKUMAR SHANMUGAM*, Madurai Medical College & Govt. Rajaji Hospital, Madurai, Tamilnadu, INDIA

Presentations

(Sunday, 7/29/2018) 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Room: Exhibit Hall

Purpose: The main purpose of this study was to develop in-house light weight non lead based bilayered radiation protective aprons.

Methods: Non-lead metal powders Bismuth(Bi), Antimony(Sb) and Barium Sulphate(BaSO4) were used to fabricate the radiation shielding aprons. These powders were embedded in polymer sheets separately and fabricated as thin layers of sheets. Radiation attenuation capabilities of non-lead fabricated sheets were investigated in the digital X-ray machine. The X-ray factors were as follows: tube potential 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110 and 120 kV; tube current 200 mA; exposure time 0.5 s and exposure area in the apron 15 x 15 cm.

Results: Measurements were made for single layers of the Bismuth compound and for bilayers where the ordering was low atomic number(Z) layer closest to X-ray source/high Z(Bismuth) layer farthest from the X-ray source. Measurements of a newly developed apron demonstrated better attenuation capabilities than commercial lead aprons. Two different layers(Bilayers) of radiation attenuating material stacked together, with the material containing the lower-Z metal positioned closest to the radiation source can significantly improve the attenuation per unit weight of a radiation protection aprons. Through judicious application of the characteristics of the photoelectric effect, bilayers have been shown to provide significantly better attenuation per unit mass than Pb-based materials, and substantially more effective attenuation per unit mass than even pure Pb.

Conclusion: Newly developed Bismuth, Antimony and BaSO4 were found to provide equivalent or superior attenuation compared with commercial lead-based aprons across the 40–120 kVp energy range. Non lead apron is a good choice as a replacement for lead apron. This is not known to be a significant threat to the environment and also relatively nontoxic by inhalation and ingestion. Can be recyclable, Very flexible and Easily foldable. Bismuth is not considered a human carcinogen.

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