Radiation Protection and Shielding

Radiation protection is a subject which perhaps many of us know very little about but which has to be taken very seriously in many circumstances. There are numerous instances in everyday life where radiation shielding is important. From medical and defence to industrial sectors, there is an application for radiation shielding. Take for example if you are suffering from a suspected broken bone or suchlike, you will go to hospital for diagnostic tests which will almost always include x-rays and scans using digital radiation scanners. The radiographer and staff will be protected from being exposed to the radiation that these scanners produce through the use of protective measures such as lead lined doors. In many cases these can be manufactured to customer requirements that can suit any size and shape of structural opening in the majority of environments.

Why is radiation protection important?

Radiation is a very important part of our modern lives. Without it we would not have been able to make the advances in diagnostic imaging and medicine that we have today. Where would we be without CT scans, x-rays and the MRI? However, too much exposure to radiation can be extremely detrimental to your health, so why take any risks?

Radiation is part of everyday life both in an industrial setting and of course medical. If an individual working near a source of radiation is not protected by radiation shielding then there is the potential to cause damage to the body. If an individual is regularly exposed to high levels of radiation they will have a significant increased likelihood of contracting tumours and cancer. There is also the potential for problems such as radiation sickness and skin burns. Radiation sickness is also referred to as radiation poisoning and is known to cause the following symptoms:

• Nausea and vomiting


• Diarrhea


• Weakness, fatigue, exhaustion, fainting


• Dehydration


• Inflammation of exposed areas (redness, tenderness, swelling, bleeding)


• Hair loss


• Ulceration of the oral mucosa


• Vomiting of blood


• Bloody stool


• Bleeding from the nose, mouth, gums, and rectum


• Bruising


• Sloughing of skin


• Open sores on the skin

What radiation solution is right for me?

When sourcing a radiation shielding solution it's important to seek expert advice with regards to what level of protection is required. Depending on the levels of radiation an environment is subjected to will depend on the type of solution, i.e. the depth of lead required, protective coatings and of course options for shielded frames which will offer complete peace of mind with regards to radiation protection.

Protective options such as lead lined doors are not a one size fits all solution, so look for a company that can create tailored and completely bespoke solutions in order to give complete protection from gamma, neutron and x-rays. Just as important as the core solution is the supporting radiation shielding products such as lead chevrons and bricks.