Purpose of LEAD Shielding
The term “lead shielding” describes the use of lead as a radiation shield to protect persons or items from radiation and lower the effective dosage. Because of its high density and high atomic number, lead can effectively attenuate some types of radiation; in particular, it is effective at blocking gamma rays and x-rays. Lead is utilized as a radiation shielding material in x-ray machines, nuclear power plants, laboratories, medical facilities, military equipment, and other locations where radiation may be present. Shielding for both people’s protection and that of tools and experiments is available in a wide variety of forms.
Lead gloves, thyroid shields, and lead aprons are some examples of personal shielding. Aprons like this are commonly worn during dental x-rays. Additionally, a wide range of shielding tools are available for laboratory equipment, such as lead castles, which are buildings built of lead bricks, and lead pigs, which are solid lead containers or lead-lined containers for storing and transporting radioactive samples. The building of lead-lined plywood or drywall to shield adjacent rooms from scattered radiation is mandated by rules in many facilities where radiation is produced.