What Are Alternatives to Lead for Radiation Shielding?
Lead is a popular shielding material that’s been used for decades in radiology. It’s often found in protective garments like aprons, thyroid shields, and glasses, and clinical studies show lead garments have high effectiveness rates. For example, a study in the Journal of Clinical Orthopedic Trauma found that lead aprons could attenuate up to 99% of scatter radiation.
The high density of lead is why it’s effective at slowing and absorbing X-rays and gamma rays in high-dose radiation procedures like C-arm guided fluoroscopy. However, lead is also heavy, which can cause fatigue for clinicians wearing protective garments for long durations.
Consequently, a lot of research has gone into developing potential alternatives to lead that are lighter with similar effectiveness rates.
What are the alternatives to lead for radiation shielding? Are they as effective? Keep reading as we cover all the details here.
What Is an Alternative to Lead Shielding?
A study from the Journal of Biomedical Physics and Engineering listed several lead alternatives that have growing bodies of research and use behind them, including:
Antimony
Barium
Bismuth
Tin
Tungsten
Each of these alternative radiation shielding materials has a high density similar to lead to slow and absorb X-rays and gamma rays emitted by medical equipment during procedures. They also tend to be more environmentally friendly than lead, making it easier to dispose of lead-free protective garments when their lifespan ends.
However, lead-free garments are usually more expensive, so there are pros and cons of using lead-free personal protective equipment (PPE) compared to traditional lead.
Is There Anything Better Than Lead for Blocking Radiation?
A study from the European Journal of Radiology published in July 2023 assessed lead-free X-ray and gamma radiation shielding materials compared to traditional lead. Researchers found that lead-free protective garments performed similarly to lead at low voltages below 90 kVp. However, as voltages increased above 90 kVp, traditional lead performed slightly better.
The research suggests that lead has better overall performance, but both lead-free and traditional lead PPEs can serve a place in radiology. Clinicians can wear lead-free garments during some lower-intensity procedures to reduce the weight they’re carrying around and then use traditional lead garments during higher-intensity procedures.
Some manufacturers are developing lead-alternative protective materials that they claim perform similarly to traditional lead. Ask the manufacturer for their protective material performance information and consult with your RSO to make the best decision for you and your team.
Tungsten vs. Lead Radiation Shielding
In theory, tungsten is a good alternative to lead for medical radiation shielding. Tungsten has a high density similar to lead and is slightly lighter when used in protective garments like aprons.
A study from 2022 showed that tungsten aprons performed similarly to traditional lead aprons when used by nurses in nuclear medicine. However, the body of research analyzing tungsten vs. lead is still limited, so more is needed to confirm if one performs better than the other or if they have similar effectiveness rates across different types of procedures and uses.
What Are the New Materials for Radiation Shielding?
Innovations in radiation protection are ongoing. Other new radiation shielding materials are gaining popularity that use composites and polymers to make garments like aprons and thyroid shields lighter. You may hear these referred to as “lightweight lead aprons” since these lighter alternatives can still contain lead in the material composition.
The study mentioned before from the European Journal of Radiology also assessed lightweight lead composite aprons compared to traditional lead aprons. The results showed that lead composites performed similarly at low intensities, but traditional lead still performed better at higher intensities above 90 kVp.
Another study from the Journal of Radiation Protection Dosimetry echoed that finding, with research showing that traditional lead performed 35% more efficiently than lightweight lead aprons at higher intensities above 95 keV.
However, the study mentioned that lightweight lead still has applicable uses due to how much lighter they are. Therefore, wearing lightweight lead aprons in lower-intensity procedures can still help manage fatigue during a workday.
What Is the Best Material for Radiation Shielding?
The best radiation-shielding materials depend on several factors. A study from the Journal of Medical Radiation Sciences outlined several key elements contributing to the radiation dose received during medical procedures. They included:
The type of equipment used: Different brands and models of equipment can emit slightly different radiation levels.
The type of procedure: Radiation levels can vary significantly by procedure. For example, the American Cancer Society states that a single chest X-ray emits 0.1 mSv of radiation. In contrast, the AORN states that interventional surgery with a C-arm can emit 2 rem (20 mSv) per minute.
Exposure Time: The less time exposed to the radiation source, the lower the dose received.
Distance from the equipment: The farther an individual is from the radiation source, the lower the dose received.
Therefore, different types of radiation shielding are necessary for varying scenarios. In some cases, opting for lightweight lead aprons may be a good idea to reduce weight during low-intensity procedures, whereas traditional lead may be better for higher-intensity operations. It’s best to consult with your facility’s radiation safety officer for guidance on the best protective garments and materials to use for individual procedures.
Proper Maintenance is Crucial for All Protective Garments
No matter the material, all protective garments used in medical facilities must be maintained to ensure they remain safe and effective.
During regular use, PPE like lead aprons and thyroid shields can accumulate damage like cracks, holes, or tears that could reduce the garment’s coverage and effectiveness. A study from the Journal of Health Physics mentions that even small tears can progress quickly, increasing by up to 270% in 10 months. Therefore, regular inspections are necessary to identify damage and get garments repaired.
Additionally, PPE can accumulate dirt, germs, and contaminants in medical settings. A study from AORN that surveyed 173 healthcare workers found that 78% reported wearing soiled protective garments, 30.1% reported thyroid shield odors, and 21.4% admitted that aprons and shields never underwent standard department cleaning. Regular deep cleaning and disinfection are essential to keep your healthcare staff and patients safe.
We can help with these aspects at Radiological Care Services (RCS).
How RCS Helps with Protective Garment Maintenance
Performing detailed inspections, cleaning, and maintenance for protective garments is time-consuming, and busy medical facilities can struggle to keep up. We can handle those aspects at RCS to help you operate more efficiently while keeping your staff and patients as safe as possible.
Our services include:
Inspections using X-ray scanning
Deep cleaning and disinfection
Garment repairs
Garment disposal
Inventory management with our RADCOMPLY™ software
Our services follow recommendations from governing bodies like the CDC and AORN to ensure effective results.
Contact us today to learn more about how RCS can make a difference for you.
