title: THE ABSORPTION PROPERTIES OF LEAD-FREE GARMENTS FOR USE IN RADIATION PROTECTION.
abstract: In this study, the absorption capability and the weight of various radiation-shielding materials were evaluated, for applications as alternatives to lead garments. Toxicity, atomic number, density, K-edge absorption energy and availability of elements that can serve as an alternative to lead, including tin, antimony, bismuth and tungsten, were considered. The attenuation coefficients of these elements were determined using the XCOM software package, and these metals were mixed with polymers at 50, 70, 80 and 85 % mass ratios. It can be concluded that all of the new shielding materials used in the study can be used for a diagnostic range of X-rays. However, they were compared with the commercial lead garments in terms of weight and attenuation coefficient; the 85 % samples were lighter than a 0.5-mm lead garment and provided superior radiation protection, which demonstrates its potential for commercial applications.
authors.affiliation: Medical Physics, The Health Science Institute, Izmir, Balçova, Turkey.
authors.forename: Hüseyin
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Çetin
authors.affiliation: Medical Physics, The Health Science Institute, Izmir, Balçova, Turkey.
authors.forename: Aysegül
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yurt
authors.affiliation: Medical Physics, The Health Science Institute, Izmir, Balçova, Turkey.
authors.forename: Serra Haznaci
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Yüksel
mesh_terms: D001729:Bismuth; D011481:Protective Clothing; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011835:Radiation Protection; D014965:X-Rays
chemical_list: D001729:Bismuth