Considerations for Radiation Barriers and X-Ray Shielding in Hospitals

With any treatment in a hospital that requiresor nurses involved in the process operate the
concentrated doses of radiation, it is importantmachinery from outside of the room, limiting their
that both the patient and the workers areexposure. However, remaining in the room behind
protected from extra doses, and from radiationa windowed radiation barrier allows for greater
spilling to an area it was not intended to reach.patient security, as being left alone can often
The most familiar example of a commoninduce stress in an already stressful situation.
treatment using radiation is the use of the x-rayRadiation barriers are also constructed primarily of
machine. Many of the pioneers of x-raylead, in combination with plastic to provide a
technology eventually succumbed to cancerswindow through which the patient can see the
which were created through exposure toprofessional and vice versa. The patient is thus
radiation; this in itself is indicative of the potentialafforded some relief from the feeling of total
dangers of long term, repeated exposure to thisisolation.
type of technology. Eventually, it was discoveredIn recent years, researchers have created fabrics
that high density lead proved an effective barrierspecifically designed to have the same shielding
against both x-rays and gamma rays, and thischaracteristics as lead, without the weight.
element now constitutes the main component ofBecause it is made of fabric, these shields are
most radiation barriers and x-ray shielding.much more flexible and lighter than the lead
Shielding is used in any procedure involving the useaprons that are used for patient x-rays in most
of concentrated rays, from imaging to radiationhospitals. While this new development offers
therapy. In all hospital x-rays, patients and those ingreater comfort to the wearer, both patient and
the room with them (such as the parents of smalltechnician, it is significantly more expensive than
children) must wear an apron during the imagingthe traditional product, and is not yet widely used.
process. In radiation therapy, the pinpointing of theConsidering, though, that the new product lasts
rays means that radiation shielding is placed onlonger, can be recycled, and is safer to handle
other parts of the body in order to ensure nothan lead-based products, one can expect to hear
damage to organs and skin not under treatment.more about this exciting development in future.
For the most part, x-ray technicians and doctors