Abstract
Tungsten functional paper (TFP) is a novel paper‐based radiation‐shielding material. We measured the shielding ability of TFP against x‐rays and gamma rays. The TFP was supplied in 0.3‐mm‐thick sheets that contained 80% tungsten powder and 20% cellulose (C6H10O5) by mass. In dose measurements for x‐rays (60, 80, 100, and 120 kVp), we measured doses after through 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, and 12 TFP sheets, as well as 0.3 and 0.5 mm of lead. In lead equivalence measurements, we measured doses after through 2 and 10 TFP sheets for x‐rays (100 and 150 kVp), and 0, 7, 10, 20, and 30 TFP sheets for gamma rays from cesium‐137 source (662 keV). And then, the lead equivalent thicknesses of TFP were determined by comparison with doses after through standard lead plates (purity >99.9%). Additionally, we evaluated uniformity of the transmitted dose by TFP with a computed radiography image plate for 50 kVp x‐rays. A single TFP sheet was found to have a shielding ability of 65%, 53%, 48%, and 46% for x‐rays (60, 80, 100, and 120 kVp), respectively. The lead equivalent thicknesses of two TFP sheets were 0.10 ± 0.02, 0.09 ± 0.02 mmPb, and of ten TFP sheets were 0.48 ± 0.02 and 0.51 ± 0.02 mmPb for 100 and 150 kVp x‐rays, respectively. The lead equivalent thicknesses of 7, 10, 20, and 30 sheets of TFP for gamma rays from cesium‐137 source were estimated as 0.28, 0.43, 0.91, and 1.50 mmPb with an error of ± 0.01 mm. One TFP sheet had nonuniformity, however, seven TFP sheets provided complete shielding for 50 kVp x‐rays. TFP has adequate radiation shielding ability for x‐rays and gamma rays within the energy range used in diagnostic imaging field.
Highlights
Lead aprons are widely used as radiation protection devices in medical care because of their excellent shielding ability against x-rays and gamma rays
The purpose of this study was to estimate the x-ray radiation shielding ability of tungsten functional paper (TFP) within the range of x-ray tube voltages commonly used in diagnostic imaging (60–120 kVp)
A shielding rate was defined by the ratio of the transmission radiation with TFP to the one without TFP
Summary
Lead aprons are widely used as radiation protection devices in medical care because of their excellent shielding ability against x-rays and gamma rays. Workers who regularly wear heavy lead aprons may experience back pain or disk disease.[1,2] Other shortcomings of aprons made of lead or lead equivalent materials include inflexibility and toxicity.[3,4] To overcome these problems, some researchers have explored ways to provide effective x-ray protection using alternative materials.[5,6,7,8] In an attempt to reduce the weight of protection materials, several vendors have developed composite lead-equivalent materials using mixtures of different elements such as lead, tin, copper, bismuth-antimony, and yttrium These composite materials have good shielding capabilities against diagnostic x-rays.[9,10] For example, bismuth-antimony aprons have been widely used as lead-free radiation protection materials in medical situations. Oral exposure to antimony has resulted in gastrointestinal effects in humans.[11,12]
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