Shielding

Definition

Shielding is the use of materials to protect against the harmful effects of ionizing radiation by absorbing or blocking its passage. It is crucial in medical applications to protect both patients and healthcare providers.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Lead is a common material used for shielding due to its high density and effectiveness at blocking gamma rays and X-rays.
2. The thickness of the shielding material must be appropriate for the type and energy of radiation being blocked.
3. Shielding reduces exposure by attenuating the intensity of the radiation through absorption or scattering.
4. In medical settings, shielding is often employed in protective garments such as lead aprons and thyroid collars during radiographic procedures.
5. The effectiveness of a shielding material is often quantified by its half-value layer (HVL), which is the thickness required to reduce radiation intensity by half.

Review Questions

• What are some common materials used for radiation shielding?
• How does the thickness of a shielding material influence its effectiveness?
• Why are lead aprons commonly used in radiographic procedures?

Related terms

Ionizing Radiation:

Radiation with enough energy to remove tightly bound electrons from atoms, creating ions.

Half-Value Layer (HVL): The thickness of a specified material which reduces the intensity of radiation by half.

Radiation Dosimetry: \text{Measurement and calculation of absorbed doses from ionizing radiation.}