Properties of Lead for Radiation Shielding

Lead is a highly effective radiation shielding material, and is used in the manufacturing of almost all radiation safety systems. The several properties of lead that make it an effective radiation shielding material are:

•   High density
•   High atomic number
•  Good level of stability
•  Ease of fabrication
•  High degree of flexibility

Lead is vastly available and is also very cheap. Lead is less likely to be contaminated, and is immediately available for re-use. Lead shielding attenuates the harmful radiation like x-rays, gamma rays, etc. and makes them impotent. It reduces their effectiveness and creates a safe, radiation free environment for the persons working around the radiation scattering equipment.

Lead radiation shielding products by Medi-Ray ^TM

Medi-Ray^TM, the industry leader has over 34 years of expertise in the manufacture of lead radiation shielding products. Medi-Ray^TM provides customers with custom designed alternatives to reduce the product weight, thus reducing the shipping cost. They implement improved safety mechanisms through advanced shielding characteristics.

If you need any type of radiation shielding products, then call Medi-Ray^TM at 1-877-898-3003/914-979-2740 now!  You can send e-mails at sales@mediray.com or fax at 914-337-4620. Visit http://www.mediray.com/ for more information. 

X-Ray Shielding

X-rays are an important part of medical technology and are indispensable tool for monitoring and diagnosing medical conditions. Despite many medical benefits that x-ray imaging provides, it is also a potentially dangerous process that can cause cancer or other medical complications unless the proper protection is utilized. So, everything in X-Ray room is X-Ray shielded.

X-ray equipment must be installed in adequately shielded rooms to ensure that public in the vicinity of the x-ray installations are not unduly exposed to x-ray radiation. Each x-ray installation must be assessed for shielding requirements based on the:-

• dimensions of the room
• positions of the x-ray control, vertical bucky and operator
• proposed construction materials (protective screens, walls, floors, doors)
• areas adjacent to x-ray room (occupancy, future use)
•  x-ray workload

Following is the guideline may be used to determine the shielding required for a new installation or when modifying an existing one:

• The current/future x-ray workload in the room does not exceed 20 exposures (films) in a 40-hour work week schedule, with the primary beam directed to an upright bucky. In addition, a workload of up to 2 exposures per week for radiographing extremities can be included, provided the primary beam is directed vertically down to the floor of the room.
• The x-ray unit is operated at up to 100 kVp, with a maximum film (cassette) size of 35cm x 43cm (14” x 17”).
• The room containing the unit has Shielding is required to provide protection outside the room, a) for workers, to meet the Action Level of 1mSv/year, as specified in the WorkSafeBC Occupational Health and Safety Regulation and b) for members of the public not to exceed the recommended public dose limit of 1 mSv/year.
• For workers directly involved in the taking of x-rays, this guideline provides an option for shielding the control booth to either 20 mSv/year (the maximum permissible dose) or to 1 mSv/year (WSBC Action Level).
• Occupancy outside barriers: the shielding options (over) allow for consideration of the amount of time (occupancy) spent by persons outside each of the barriers (i.e. walls/doors)
• If the facility has accessible areas (e.g. rooms) above and/or below the x-ray room, protection for these areas must be provided in the intervening floors (see over).

Lead shielding for radiation is a useful tool in accomplishing radiation protection for x-ray applications used in Medical technology. Utilizing lead castings, sheet lead and lead foil, Medi-Ray^TMhas developed clinic, laboratory and medical office products for all X-Ray applications. Lead x-ray shields offer advanced protection to guard specific body parts on the patient or technician during x-ray procedures.

X-Ray shielding can be done using lead sheet of 2 mm thickness. Mobile X-ray barrier can be mounted on wheels and moved around easily. This is used extensively in medical industry.

A wide range of radiation barriers are available in many different sizes and unique configurations to accommodate the specific protection needs of different radiation processes. Redesign of current medical products can provide more user-friendly products with no increase in costs.

Medi-rayTM:  Medi-rayTM is devoted to innovation in lead metal technology. Since 1974, Medi-rayTM has been the largest supplier of radio-pharmaceutical shipping containers. Medi-rayTM is mainly known for shielding radioactive products, X-ray, PET, CT or MRI equipment. For any further enquiry or to get free quotes, call at 877-898-3003 / 914-979-2740 or fax at 914-337-4620. You can send e-mails at sales@mediray.com. Office is located at 150 Marbledale Road, Tuckahoe, New York 10707. Visit http://www.mediray.com for more information.

Lead for Radiation Shielding

Since 1974, Mediray has been the largest supplier of radio-pharmaceutical shipping containers. Mediray is mainly known for shielding radioactive products, X-ray, PET, CT or MRI equipment. Lead is used for shielding of radioactive products.

Lead - Best Radiation Shielding Metal

Lead is the best metal in providing protection from various sources of radiation. It has become a standard in the design of Radiation Protection systems. Lead shielding refers to the use of lead to shield or protect people or objects from radiation. Because of its high density and high atomic number, lead can fade certain kinds of radiation. And that’s why lead is used as radiation protection in applications ranging from x-ray imaging and PET rooms to nuclear reactors.

Criteria for Selection of Shielding Material

Thickness is not enough for a material to attenuate radiation. There are certain characteristics that are required in a material to use as radiation shielding.

• Shielding material should have high density and high atomic number, which in turn is better attenuator of x-rays and gamma rays.
• Shielding material should have good heat conductivity.
• Shielding material must be resistant to radiation damage.
• Shielding material should have required thickness and weight.

Apart from the above characteristics, you should also consider the cost of shielding material, transportation and installation. Also take into account its wastage and scrap value; and availability and ease of shielding material.

Properties of Lead as Shielding Material

The properties of lead are its high density, high atomic number; high level of stability, ease of fabrication and availability makes it excellent shielding material.

• Lead has extremely low-level neutron absorption and practically no gamma radiation. It cannot become radioactive. Even after long exposure of neutrons, lead emits an insignificant amount of radiation due to activation.
• Lead is not too dense, but it is readily available, easily fabricated and is less expensive than other high-density materials.
• Lead is more uniform throughout as compared to other materials.
• Lead is less likely to become contaminated with dirt, which in turn may become radioactive.
• Lead can be immediately available for reuse, adaption or for sale as scrap.

Forms of Lead Available For Radiation Shielding

For radiation shielding various forms of lead are used. The shielding of containers for radioactive materials is usually metallic lead. Radioactive materials in laboratories and the medical industry are usually handled by remote control from a position of safety. Personal shielding includes lead aprons (such as the garment used during dental x-rays), thyroid shields, and lead gloves. There are also shielding devices available for laboratory equipment, including lead castles, structures composed of lead bricks, and thick containers for storing and transporting radioactive samples.

We understand why lead is the best shielding material. Mediray is devoted to innovation in lead metal technology as it mainly deals with shielding of X-ray, CT, PET, MRI equipment.

MedirayTM:  MedirayTM is devoted to innovation in lead metal technology. Since 1974, MedirayTM has been the largest supplier of radio-pharmaceutical shipping containers. MedirayTM is mainly known for shielding radioactive products, X-ray, PET, CT or MRI equipment. For any further enquiry or to get free quotes, call at 877-898-3003 / 914-979-2740 or fax at 914-337-4620. You can send e-mails at sales@mediray.com. Office is located at 150 Marbledale Road, Tuckahoe, New York 10707. Visit http://www.mediray.com/ for more information.

Lead Shielding for Medical Purpose

The properties of Lead which make it an excellent shielding material are its density, high atomic number, high level of stability, ease of fabrication, high degree of flexibility in application, and its availability. And that’s why lead is used as radiation protection in applications ranging from x-ray imaging and PET rooms to nuclear reactors. In this article, author explains how lead shielding is used for medical purposes.

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Lead is the best metal in providing protection from various sources of radiation and has become a standard in the design of Radiation Protection systems. The properties of Lead which make it an excellent shielding material are its density, high atomic number, high level of stability, ease of fabrication, high degree of flexibility in application, and its availability. And that’s why lead is used as radiation protection in applications ranging from x-ray imaging and PET rooms to nuclear reactors.

A senior consultant from Medi-Ray^TM1 says about lead shielding, “Whether you are shielding radioactive materials, X-Ray, CT, MRI or PET scanning equipment or the rooms that house them, Medi-Ray^TM has the shielding components you need: sheet lead and foils, adhesive backed and coated lead materials, custom components and lead stampings.” (Ref: Medi-Ray^TM, http://www.mediray.com/product_category/products/lead_shielding )

Radioactive materials in laboratories and hospitals are usually handled by remote control from a position of safety behind a wall of Lead bricks and in hospitals, X-ray machines are normally installed in rooms shield with Lead Sheet / Lead Foil.

The X-ray can cause physical damage to person exposed to them so it is necessary to shield the x-ray generating units with a material that resists x-ray penetration.

For medical radiographic and fluoroscopic rooms, the lead shielding generally does not extend above a line 7 ft., 0 in. from the finished floor; and if the services lines and ducts can be located above this line, shielding around them is obviously unnecessary. For X-ray therapy rooms, lead shielding may extend to the ceiling or structural slab. The ceiling or slab above and the floor may also be lead lined, depending upon the output and other conditions.

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1. Mediray^TM:  Mediray^TM is devoted to innovation in lead metal technology. Since 1974, Mediray^TM has been the largest supplier of radio-pharmaceutical shipping containers. Mediray^TM is mainly known for shielding radioactive products, X-ray, PET, CT or MRI equipment. For any further enquiry or to get free quotes, call at 877-898-3003 / 914-979-2740 or fax at 914-337-4620. You can send e-mails at sales@mediray.com. Office is located at 150 Marbledale Road, Tuckahoe, New York 10707. Visit http://www.mediray.com/ for more information.

X-Ray Shielding- Medical Radiation Protection

Radiation protection is practice of protecting people and the environment from the harmful effects of radiations. Ionizing radiation is used in many aspects of industry and medicine, which can result in significant health hazards like damage to body tissue, which can lead to skin burns and radiation sickness at high exposures, as well as risks of cancer at low exposures.

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There are three types of radiation safety measures that must be taken to control the dose or amount of radiation from x-ray equipment. These include:

- Reducing the time of exposure as this reduces the dose proportionally.

- Increasing distance to reduce dose. This can be done by making use of forceps to handle a source rather than using the fingers.

- Shielding to reduce radiation to a level that is suitable for humans. Shielding can be done by placing a mass of absorbing material around the radioactive source.

Among the above safety measures, shielding the x-ray equipment to reduce the level of radiation using lead radiation shielding products is the best way.

Lead radiation shielding

Shielding may include lead sheets in the walls surrounding an x-ray room, lead glass or screens on the viewing room for operator safety, and lead aprons for patients to wear. The effectiveness of such shields depends on shield thickness. Lead is used to produce X-Ray shielded products ranging from lead syringe shielding, shipping containers, laboratory accessories, lead sheet, lead bricks etc. X-Ray shielding can be done using lead sheet of 2 mm thickness. Mobile X-ray barrier can be mounted on wheels and moved around easily. This is used extensively in medical industry. Patient is exposed to controlled intensity X-ray for some time while the doctor stays behind a curtain.

This safety measure is taken as doctor will do the producer on many patients. Regular exposure to X-Ray is dangerous to health. Lead containers are available now a days for shielding instruments form x-rays. Everything in X-Ray room is X-Ray shielded. Radiation shielding for syringe is available in the market.

Radiation shielding products

Mediray¹ has developed clinic, laboratory, and medical office products for various types of x-ray applications, using such materials as lead castings, sheet lead, and lead foil. Medi-RayTM, Incorporated is totally unique in the market. From its inception over thirty-five years ago, Medi-RayTM has been the world's foremost manufacturer of shielding products for nuclear medicine. For many firms, that would be enough but not for Medi-Ray. Their goal is the relentless pursuit of innovation, and is proud to be the recognized leader in lead metal technology and radiation shielding. They realized that only a multi-disciplinary approach would provide a complete solution to the numerous problems of high costs and other related operational factors that faced many of the fields that required precision lead metal and alloy technologies.

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1. Medi-Ray: Medi-Ray is devoted to innovation in lead metal technology. Since 1974, Medi-Ray has been the largest supplier of radio-pharmaceutical shipping containers. Medi-Ray is mainly known for shielding radioactive products, X-ray, PET, CT or MRI equipment. For any further enquiry or to get free quotes,  call at 877-898-3003 / 914-979-2740 or fax at 914-337-4620. You can send e-mails at sales@mediray.com. Office is located at 150 Marbledale Road, Tuckahoe, New York 10707. Visit http://www.mediray.com/ for more information.

Lead products for radiation shielding

To shield radioactive materials, X-Ray, CT, MRI or PET scanning equipment or the rooms that house them, lead is the best metal to mould radiation shielding products. Sheet lead and foils, adhesive backed and coated lead materials, custom components and lead stampings etc. can be used to shield harmful radiations.

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Medi-RayTM¹ provides the most comprehensive materials and assemblies for your lead shielding projects. The variety of lead product designs, in-house coating services and machining capabilities provide the customer with numerous alternatives and options. Medi-RayTM has several custom lead brick configurations that can be altered to a customer’s requirements and provided in pure lead or antimonial lead.

Me-diray provides the following lead shielding products

Generator shielding

Used for the on-site conversion of saline solutions into usable dosages of radiopharmaceuticals, Medi-RayTM’s Generators provide both the efficiency and the safety.

Sheet Lead

Medi-RayTM produces a wide range of lead materials in sheet form for the shielding of nuclear medicine facilities and X-Ray rooms. Sheet lead shielding material is Sheet Lead & Foil available in thin antimonial lead foils that adapt well to thin contoured applications such as electrical shielding. Sheet lead is also available in thicknesses well suited for walls, doors, and ceilings. To meet the heaviest duty shielding needs we provide lead plates.

PET scanner shielding

Medi-RayTM is currently working with industry experts to develop a unique syringe shielding and transport apparatus specifically designed to meet the heavier shielding demands of PET scanning.

This new apparatus will provide clinicians with a high level of protection from the arrival of the radioactive material in its shipping container all the way to its administration in the scanning facility.

Lead Lining

Medi-Ray TM’s line of adhesive-backed lead sheeting enables a manufacturer to effortlessly construct a custom shielded container by simply cutting the sheet lead with scissors or a razor knife and applying it to foam packing material. The other side of the adhesive backed lead sheet is covered with a durable white plastic film for safe handling and easy cleaning.

Lead Stamping

Lead Extrusions

Medi-Ray's custom production machines can provide extrusions in numerous shapes and sizes. Extrusions provide an economical method of producing products with cost savings, excellent surface characteristics, and adherence to dimensional tolerances.

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1. Medi-Ray: Medi-Ray is devoted to innovation in lead metal technology. Since 1974, Medi-Ray has been the largest supplier of radio-pharmaceutical shipping containers. Medi-Ray is mainly known for shielding radioactive products, X-ray, PET, CT or MRI equipment. For any further enquiry or to get free quotes,  call at 877-898-3003 / 914-979-2740 or fax at 914-337-4620. You can send e-mails at sales@mediray.com. Office is located at 150 Marbledale Road, Tuckahoe, New York 10707. Visit http://www.mediray.com/ for more information.

Different types of lead bricks used for radiation shielding

Lead is effective for shielding radiations because of its high density and atomic number. Lead is effective for protection against gamma rays and x-rays. The thicker the lead the less the radiation.

Lead bricks are one of the forms of lead used in radiation shielding. Lead bricks are typically used in reactor for radiation shielding. Because of the high intensity of the radiation produced in those reactors, a thicker form of lead is necessary to highly reduce their intensity. As lead bricks have more thickness there are used to shield those high intensity radiations.

Type of lead bricks used for shielding:

1. Standard Rectangular Lead Bricks

This type of lead bricks are used for standard shielding wall formation. The fit and finish of each lead brick yields the finest shielding characteristics available.

2. Interlocking Lead Bricks

These lead bricks are used in the corners and other joints of the basic lead shielding wall.

3. Lead Barrier Walls and Caves

Using the above two types of lead bricks a wall or cave it formed so that they can be fitted directly in the area of shielding.

4. Dura block Custom Lead Bricks

This type of lead bricks has interlocking system so that they are firmly attached to each other. This assures strong shielding from harmful radiations.

Medi-RayTM¹ provides a fully integrated suite of in-house services resulting in a single, convenient and vertically integrated source for all your custom lead fabrication needs.

Whether you are shielding radioactive materials, X-Ray, CT, MRI or PET scanning equipment or the rooms that house them, Medi-RayTM has the shielding components you need: sheet lead and foils, adhesive backed and coated lead materials, custom components and lead stampings.

Medi-RayTM supplies all standard lead brick sizes as well as interlocking configurations. Custom designs and sizes are supplied in the shortest turn-around time in our industry. Medi-RayTM's Dura-block bricks are uniform in size and are the finest bricks available.

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1. Medi-Ray: Medi-Ray is devoted to innovation in lead metal technology. Since 1974, Medi-Ray has been the largest supplier of radio-pharmaceutical shipping containers. Medi-Ray is mainly known for shielding radioactive products, X-ray, PET, CT or MRI equipment. For any further enquiry or to get free quotes,  call at 877-898-3003 / 914-979-2740 or fax at 914-337-4620. You can send e-mails at sales@mediray.com. Office is located at 150 Marbledale Road, Tuckahoe, New York 10707. Visit http://www.mediray.com/ for more information.

Lead Plates for radiation shielding & x-ray shielding

Lead Plates or sheet lead is used for permanent shielding installations i.e., used to shield walls doors and other areas of room. This form of lead shielding is extensively used in hospitals, laboratories and industrial facilities.

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Lead plates used for protection from harmful radiations

Radiations like X-Ray, Gamma Ray and Nuclear radiation, cause cancer and other health hazards in human body. So, Shielding for radiation source is very important as the source will contaminate the environment. Lead plates are used to shield the areas like laboratories medical centers which are exposed to continuous radiations, so that people working in those areas stay safe.

Uses of Lead Plates:

• Lead plates are used as sound barrier.
• Lead plate is used in many radiation shielding applications including industrial, nuclear and medical.
• Lead plate, because of its high density, is an effective construction material for shielding from gamma rays and x-rays.
• Lead plates are versatile and can be used to shield even corner parts of a room.
• These plates are also used vibration absorbers.
• These are used in making corrosion resistant gaskets.
• Water proofing, flashing etc.

MedirayTM¹ manufactures lead plates that can be used for room construction, laboratory shielding, and counterweight applications. Plates can be composed of 99.999% pure lead. Plates are molded from precision high-strength steel molds and can be machined to exact dimensions. Medi-Ray plates are square and level to meet all stringent applications.

All custom made lead products can be found in Medi-Ray. Medi-RayTM, Incorporated is totally unique in the market. From its inception over thirty-five years ago, Medi-RayTM has been the world's foremost manufacturer of shielding products for nuclear medicine.

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1. Medi-Ray: Medi-Ray is devoted to innovation in lead metal technology. Since 1974, Medi-Ray has been the largest supplier of radio-pharmaceutical shipping containers. Medi-Ray is mainly known for shielding radioactive products, X-ray, PET, CT or MRI equipment. For any further enquiry or to get free quotes,  call at 877-898-3003 / 914-979-2740 or fax at 914-337-4620. You can send e-mails at sales@mediray.com. Office is located at 150 Marbledale Road, Tuckahoe, New York 10707. Visit http://www.mediray.com/ for more information.