Abstract
Long term exposure to very high levels of radiations from medical diagnostic centres, industries, nuclear research establishments and nuclear weapon development have resulted in health effects such as cancer and acute radiation syndrome, hence the need for proper radiation shielding. This paper investigated Epoxy-Lead (II) Oxide (PbO) composite as radiation shielding. The composites were prepared by dispersion of microsized PbO particles into polymeric materials using effective melt-mixing method and cast in a 4 cm by 6 cm rectangular aluminium Mold with a thickness of 5 mm and was allowed to set over night at room temperature. The gamma ray attenuation ability of the composites were studied using gamma ray transmission or attenuation coefficient determination for the gamma ray energy. Three gamma ray sources Ba-133, Cs-137 and Co-60 were employed. The density, linear attenuation coefficient, half value layer (HVL), relaxation length and heaviness of the samples were determined. The measured values of linear attenuation coefficient increased with increasing filler concentration in all the samples at all gamma ray energies. It was also noticed that 40 % and 50 % filler samples attenuates more relative to the other samples under study. The maximum linear attenuation attained was found at energy of 662 keV. The composites have been found to possessed medical gamma-ray attenuation characteristics among the sample materials over a certain photon energy range (0.08 MeV–1.332 MeV) and found useful as a biological radiation shielding against gamma rays.
Highlights
Electromagnetic radiation like gamma beams and x-beams are risky to human wellbeing
Individuals get exposed to gamma and x-radiations from various kinds of sources including industries, medical diagnostic centres, nuclear research establishments, nuclear reactors, research involving radio-isotopes and nuclear weapon development facilities
The measured values of linear attenuation coefficient increased with increasing filler concentration in all the samples at all gamma ray energies and is in good agreement with the reported works of [24, 25]
Summary
Electromagnetic radiation like gamma beams and x-beams are risky to human wellbeing. Individuals get exposed to gamma and x-radiations from various kinds of sources including industries, medical diagnostic centres, nuclear research establishments, nuclear reactors, research involving radio-isotopes and nuclear weapon development facilities.To shield work force and delicate electronic gear from such ionizing radiation, protection is important. Coefficient determination for the gamma ray energy. The density, linear attenuation coefficient, half value layer (HVL), relaxation length and heaviness of the samples were determined.
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