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The negative health effects of gamma rays and similar energy are well documented, but what materials protect against radiation and help prevent related conditions?
The truth is that the type of protection required to combat the effects of radiation depends heavily on the type of energy you’re exposed to.
Now, there are four major types of radiation energy, so it’s important to understand the characteristics of each one in order to choose the right protective material.
Below, we’ll go over the different types of radiation, their penetrating power, and what you need to do to protect against these electromagnetic waves.
Radiation: Types and Penetrating Power
So, what materials protect against radiation?
Before delving into the answer to these questions, it’s important to understand the different types of radiation.
Not only this, you should also pay close attention to a characteristic of radiation energy commonly called penetrating power, as this directly influences the type of materials you need to protect against alpha and other types of rays.
Let’s take a closer look at the different types of radiation and the penetration power of each.
Alpha
Alpha is the lowest-energy form of radiation and it has very little penetrating power. While it may cause health issues if internal organs are exposed to this type of energy, alpha ray presents low to moderate threat as they’re not strong enough to penetrate the skin.
Beta
Beta rays are stronger than alpha, but can still only penetrate a few millimeters of skin. This is the reason why it possesses a bigger health threat than alpha, but is not among the most damaging types of radiation.
Gamma
Gamma rays won’t turn you into a superhero, but they can have severe health impacts even in small doses. This type of radiation has significant penetration power, so it can pass through the human body and even through thin layers of metal and concrete.
Neutrons
What protects you from radiation that carries neutrons? This is also a highly penetrating form of radiation, but it can be blocked by hydrogen-rich matter including water and concrete.
Materials that Protect Against Radiation
What protects against radiation in your facility? Let’s go over the different materials that block the distinct forms of radiation.
1. Shielding Against Alpha Radiation
Alpha rays don’t carry a massive energy load, so they can be blocked by:
- Human skin
- Paper
- A few centimeters of air
2. Shielding Against Beta Radiation
While stronger than alpha, beta radiation is still relatively mind and can be reflected by:
- Common metals like aluminum
- Glass
- Thick plastic
3. Shielding Against Gamma Radiation
Gamma rays can cause a huge amount of damage to DNA and other cells, so it’s important to block them with:
- Thick layers of concrete
- Thick layers of lead
- Thick layers of tungsten
4. Shielding Against Neutron Radiation
As with gamma, neutron rays can cause many health issues and should be reflected using:
- Water
- Concrete
- Polyethylene and other hydrogen-rich materials that contain many neutrons
Tips to Protect Medical Professionals in Your Facility
Now that we know what can protect you from radiation, let’s go over some tips to keep your team safe.
Medical and diagnostic facilities that employ radiation devices like X-rays and PET scans need to take additional steps to protect professionals and patients who are exposed to this energy.
In addition to finding a reliable radiation equipment manufacturer that can guide you through the whole process, you should also consider:
Layered Shielding
As the name suggests, layered shielding consists of aprons, movable screens, drapes, and other protective accessories that have multiple layers that reflect radiation.
Costs vs Efficiency
The cost of your protective gear is one of the biggest influencers when purchasing lead aprons and similar accessories. As a rule of thumb, you never want to sacrifice quality in order to reduce costs, so working with a company that has high-performance accessories at a good market price like Barrier Technologies is a great idea.
Portable and Additional Shielding
Besides lead aprons and other forms of traditional protection like a thyroid shield, it’s also important to protect your medical professionals against scatter radiation. Some of the additional accessories you can use to provide an additional layer of protection for your team include:
- Lead aprons
- Radiation gloves
- Leaded eyewear
- Secure pads and blankets
- Mobile barriers
- Treatment room accessories
Health Impact of Radiation
Radiation has the ability to damage DNA tissue and can result in the release of free radicals in the body, which can increase the chances of developing cancerous tumors.
While alpha rays are too weak, beta and gamma emissions can both cause radiation burns as well as acute radiation syndrome, radiation sickness, and extensive organ damage.
What Makes Some Materials Better at Blocking Radiation?
There are many factors that influence how well a material can block radiation. We’ve covered the type of energy heavily in the rest of the article, but the density and atomic composition of every non-organic material ultimately determine just how much radiation can penetrate it.
As a general rule of thumb, dense metals like lead and tungsten are the best at reflecting alpha, beta, and gamma radiation.
In terms of neutron radiation, hydrogen particles found in water contain many neutrons, making this liquid a particularly good shield against this type of energy.
If you’re not sure what type of radiation is used in your facility or the type of protection you need, contact Barrier Technologies today and our team can help you make the best choice.
Looking for the Best PPE for Your Facility?
Alpha, beta, gamma, and neutron are all different types of radiation with vastly distinct characteristics. While all radiation can have detrimental effects on living cells, only gamma and neutron rays have enough penetrating power to require additional protection.
Gamma rays and other forms of ionizing radiation are used in medical and diagnostic facilities across the US, so it’s necessary for facility managers to take security steps and ensure the safety of their professionals as well as patients.
Are you looking for high-quality PPE that eliminates the impact of gamma rays and other forms of high-energy radiation? At Barrier Technologies, we’ve been manufacturing high-quality lead aprons, thyroid shields, and other radiation protection accessories for more than a decade.
Contact us today if you need help choosing the best aprons and accessories for your facility and our team will be glad to help.
