• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.157-164
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• 2024

The standard radiation protection method in the angiography suite involves the use of a thyroid shield, a lead apron, and lead glasses. However, exposure to substantial amounts of ionizing radiation can cause cataracts, tumors, and skin erythema. A newly developed curtain-type radiation protection device consists of a curtain drape composed of a five-layer bismuth and lead acrylic head-shielding plate, with both bearing an equivalent 0.25 mm lead thickness. In this study, a quality assurance phantom was used as the patient to create radiation scatter from the radiographic source, and an anthropomorphic mannequin phantom was used as the interventionalist to measure the radiation dose at seven different anatomical locations. Thermoluminescent dosimeters were used to measure the radiation dose. The experimental groups consisted of all-sided or one-sided curtain set-ups, the presence or absence of a conventional shielding system, and the orientation of beam irradiation. Consequently, the curtain-type radiation protection device exhibited better radiation protection range and capabilities than conventional radiation protection systems, especially in safeguarding the forehead, eyes, arms, and feet, with minimal radiation exposure. Moreover, the mean shielding ratios of the conventional shielding system and curtain-type radiation protection device were measured at 51.94% and 93.86%, respectively. Additionally, no significant decrease in the radiation protection range or capability was observed, even with changes in the beam orientation or one-sided protection. Compared with a conventional shielding system, the curtain-type radiation protection device decreased radiation exposure doses and improved comfort. Therefore, it is a potential new radiation protection device for veterinary interventional procedures.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.310-314
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• 2016

Background: FCTC10 container is designed to transport $^{60}Co$ radioactive sources used in irradiation industry. It belongs to Type B(U) Category III (yellow) package when being loaded with a $^{60}Co$ source of $1.8{\times}10^5$ Ci. Materials and Methods: The container is constituted of shielding container, basket, protective cover and bracket. Shielding ability is provided mainly by stainless steel shells, tungsten alloy and lead among steel shells. Radiation level around the container has been calculated with both Monte Carlo simulations and measurements. Results and Discussion: It is proven that the shielding performance of the container fulfills the requirements in GB11806-2004 (Regulations for the safe transport of radioactive material, China Standard Press). Exposure doses to workers and to critical groups of public were calculated based on hypothetical exposure scene according to transport practice experience. Conclusion: The results show that doses to workers and public are less than the constraint dose considered in design, and the radiation level would be increased less than a factor of 2 under design basis accidents.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.373-377
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• 2019

Radiation exposure is on the rise as the working hours of radiation workers increase. Accordingly, the importance of protection products for decreasing the dose of exposure has risen, and excellent X-ray shielding ability and light weight are required. The purpose of this study is to compare the Pb which use currently and other elements in order to reduce the exposure of workers to the most effective protection products. For experiment, we used the general X-ray equipment and angiography equipment, and obtained the Pb and apron's shielding rate. When the shielding rate of Pb and apron was compared in general X-ray equipment, the shielding rate was 95.1% for Pb 0.5 mm, 96.1% for apron 0.5 mmPb and 95.6% for Bi+W 0.5 mmPb. When compared the shielding rate of each aprons in angiography equipment, 0.5 mmPb apron was the highest as 96.4% and Bi+W 0.25 mmPb apron was the lowest as 90.2% at the 50 cm distance. The shielding rate of 0.5 mmPb apron was the highest as 95.7% and Bi+W 0.25 mmPb apron was the lowest as 85.9% at the 100 cm distance. As a result of evaluating the apron efficiency through this study, 0.5 mmPb apron showed the best shielding rate, but it was the heaviest apron. 0.35 mmPb apron and Bi+W 0.25 mmPb apron weighed light but had low shielding rate. Through the results of this experiment, it is recommended that radiation workers reduce radiation exposure by using more efficient protection products.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.184-196
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• 2023

Background: Radiation protection is crucial in various fields due to the harmful effects of radiation. Shielding is used to reduce radiation exposure, but gamma radiation poses challenges due to its high energy and penetration capabilities. Materials and Methods: This work investigates the radiation shielding properties of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) samples containing different weight fraction of tungsten carbide (WC), tungsten trioxide (WO₃), and tungsten disulfide (WS₂). Parameters such as the mass attenuation coefficient (MAC), half-value layer (HVL), mean free path (MFP), effective atomic number (Z_eff), and macroscopic effective removal cross-section for fast neutrons (Σ_R) were calculated using the Phy-X/PSD software. EpiXS simulations were conducted for MAC validation. Results and Discussion: Increasing the weight fraction of the additives resulted in higher MAC values, indicating improved radiation shielding. PVDF-xWC showed the highest percentage increase in MAC values. MFP results indicated that PVDF-0.20WC has the lowest values, suggesting superior shielding properties compared to PVDF-0.20WO₃ and PVDF-0.20WS₂. PVDF-0.20WC also exhibited the highest Z_eff values, while PVDF-0.20WS₂ showed a slightly higher increase in Z_eff at energies of 0.662 and 1.333 MeV. PVDF-0.20WC has demonstrated the highest Σ_R value, indicating effective shielding against fast neutrons, while PVDF-0.20WS₂ had the lowest Σ_R value. The Monte Carlo N-Particle Transport version 5 (MCNP5) simulations showed that PVDF-xWC attenuates gamma radiation more than pure PVDF, significantly decreasing the dose equivalent rate. Conclusion: Overall, this research provides insights into the radiation shielding properties of PVDF mixtures, with PVDF-xWC showing the most promising results.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.615-621
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• 2021

In the medical field, radiation provides information for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. As the use of radiation increases and the risk of exposure increases, interest in radiation protection is also rapidly increasing. Lead shielding material is mainly used, which has a risk of lead poisoning and absorption into the body. Tungsten mixed filament shielding sheets were fabricated with a size of 70 × 70 mm and a thickness of 1, 2, and 4 mm by using a 3D printer. In the general shooting experiment, the thickness of the shielding sheet is 1 ~ 5mm, the tube voltage is 60, 80, 100, 120 kVp and the tube current is 20, 40 mAs. In general photography, Tungsten showed better shielding rate compared to Brass, Copper, and Lead protective tools under all irradiation conditions, and in particular, Tungsten 5 mm showed 100% shielding rate. The 3D-printed tungsten mixed filament shielding is expected to be used as a new shield that can replace the existing lead protection tools as it shows a better shielding rate than the existing lead protection tools in Radiography.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.20-28
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• 2018

Background: Heat energy produced in nuclear reactors and nuclear fuel cycle facilities interactions modifies the physical properties of the shielding materials containing water content. Therefore, in the present paper, effect of the heat on shielding effectiveness of the concretes is investigated for gamma and neutron. The mass attenuation coefficients, effective atomic numbers, fast neutron removal cross-section and exposure buildup factors. Materials and Methods: The mass attenuation coefficients, effective atomic numbers, fast neutron removal cross-section and exposure buildup factors of ordinary and heavy concretes were investigated using NIST data of XCOM program and Geometric Progression method. Results and Discussion: The improvement in shielding effectiveness for photon and reduction in fast neutron for ordinary concrete was observed. The change in the neutron shielding effectiveness was insignificant. Conclusion: The present investigation on interaction of gamma and neutron radiation would be very useful for assessment of shielding efficiency of the concrete used in high temperature applications such as reactors.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.162-166
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• 2023

Background: Assessment of the radiation doses to which workers are exposed can differ depending on the placement of dosimeters on the body. In addition, it is affected by whether the placement is under or over a shielding apron. This study aimed to evaluate the actual positioning of personal dosimeters on the body, with or without shielding aprons, among radiation workers in Korea. Materials and Methods: We analyzed the survey data, which included demographic characteristics, such as sex, age, occupation, work history, and placement of the personal dosimeter being worn, from a cohort study of Korean radiation workers. We assessed the use of personal dosimeters among workers, stratified by sex, age, working period, starting year of work, and occupation. Results and Discussion: Overall, high compliance (89.1% to 99.0%) with the wearing of dosimeters on the chest was observed regardless of workers' characteristics, such as age, sex, occupation, and work history. However, the placement of dosimeters, either under or over the shielding aprons, was inconsistent. Overall, 40.1% of workers wore dosimeters under their aprons, while the others wore dosimeters over their aprons. This inconsistency indicates that radiation doses are possibly measured differently under the same exposure conditions solely owing to variations in the placement of worn dosimeters. Conclusion: Although a lack of uniformity in dosimeter placement when wearing a shielding apron may not cause serious harm in radiation dose management for workers, the development of detailed guidelines for dosimeter placement may improve the accuracy of dose assessment.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.39-41
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• 1980

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.755-760
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• 2021

In this study, the shielding rate of major X-ray protective equipment used in the medical environment was calculated using X-ray spectrum data emitted from the diagnostic X-ray generator of The Institute of Physics and Engineering(IPEM) Report-78, and the applicability of radiation protection was investigated. Radiation shielding rates were calculated through reduction rates of air-kerma and total intensity for lead apron (0.3 mmPb), thyroid shield (0.5 mmPb), lead goggles (0.5 mmPb), and lead glass (1.8, 2.7, 3.3 mmPb) used for diagnostic X-ray protection. As a result, the shielding rate calculated as the air kerma reduction rate ranged from 96.31 to 100% at 80 kV, and 90.35 to 100% at 120 kV. In addition, the results of this calculation were well matched with the results of previous studies measuring the actual shielding rate, and it is expected that the X-ray spectrum data of IPEM Report-78 can be used for radiation protection.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.429-437
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• 2023

In veterinary medicine, most radiographic images are obtained by restraining patients, inevitably exposing the restrainer to secondary scattered radiation. Radiation exposure can result in stochastic reactions such as cancer and genetic effects, as well as deterministic reactions such as skin burns, cataracts, and bone marrow suppression. Radiation-shielding equipment, including aprons, thyroid shields, eyewear, and gloves, can reduce radiation exposure. However, the risk of radiation exposure to the upper arms, face, and back remains, and lead aprons and thyroid shields are heavy, restricting movement. We designed a new radiation-shielding system and compared its shielding ability with those of conventional radiation-shielding systems. We hypothesized that the new shielding system would have a wider radiation-shielding range and similar shielding ability. The radiation exposure dose differed significantly between the conventional and new shielding systems in the forehead, chin, and bilateral upper arm areas (p < 0.001). When both systems were used together, the radiation-shielding ability was better than when only one system was used at all anatomical locations (p < 0.01). This study suggests that the new radiation-shielding system is essential and convenient for veterinary radiation workers because it is a step closer to radiation safety in veterinary radiography.