Assessment of the Attenuation Properties of Commercial Lead-Free Radiation-Shielding Composite Materials Against Medical X-rays

Six commercial, lead-free, radiation protective materials were tested for their attenuation across a range of X-ray energies used in medical diagnostic imaging and interventional radiology. While all the tested materials showed the specified attenuation at the X-ray energy claimed by their manufacturers, only two of the materials showed satisfactory attenuation in an extended range of medical X-ray energies (generated in X-ray tubes with voltages between 50 and 150 kV). The lead-free materials are lighter than the lead-containing materials, which is very important for those wearing the radiation protective garments for an extended time; however, the main focus in the promotion of radiation-shielding materials should still be on their attenuation efficacy against both the primary and the scattered X-rays present in medical environments. The end users should be informed on the material attenuation in an extended energy range, especially in the range where scatter radiation occurs, and not just about the peak material attenuation performance at energies where the X-rays are generated. Scatter radiation is the main reason for the occupational radiation exposure of medical personnel, who should have the whole picture about the shielding ability of the protective garments that they strongly rely on.