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Evaluation of 1.5mm Lead Shield for Radiological Protection and Comparison of Calculated and Measured Results of Equivalent Dose
ALHASSAN, M; KHAN, B & BARAYA, JT
Abstract
Evaluation of radiation protective devices in radiology departments is one of the practices that ensure
radiation protection and staff and patients safety in hospitals. A research work to evaluate 1.5mm lead shield used for
radiological protection was carried out in Radiological Unit of Sharda Hospital, of Sharda University, India, using 300mA
fixed x-ray machine room. The evaluation was done in the x-ray energy (kVp) range between 52- 81 and by using
calculative procedure and by direct measurement of the radiation dose rates. The two results were compared. The results
shows that, in the absence of the shield, only 11.82% of the radiation exposure was attenuated by the air space before
reaching the radiographer’s stand, while in the presence of the shield, 96.50% was attenuated, whereas, for the measured
result only 10.17% was attenuated in the absence of the shield and 89.83% was attenuated in the presence of the shield
before reaching the radiographer’s stand. The unit of radiation exposure was converted to that of equivalent dose and that
of effective dose in order to assess the radiographer’s safety level behind the shield. It was found that, the
equivalent/effective dose is as low as to be accepted according to the policy of ALARA (As Low As Reasonably
Achievable), and within the NCRP recommended limit. This guaranteed the effectiveness of the lead shield of 1.5mm
thickness in the x-ray energy range used in this study.
Keywords
Lead shield; radiological protection; effectiveness of 1.5mm leadshield; presence of shield; absence of shield; radiographer’s safety.
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