Isolation

Today, lead shielding and isolation in facilities act as barriers against X-ray radiation, preventing its passage. The high voltage of medical imaging devices, which can reach up to 150 kilovolts, results in X-ray tube electrons being directed into the imaging environment. Inadequate protection against radiation and incomplete isolation of medical centers can lead to adverse effects on the body’s immune system. Lead, due to its high density and atomic number, is the best element for protecting imaging centers. Due to lead’s high molecular density, X-rays are trapped in the lead and cannot pass through. The thickness of the lead used depends on the voltage applied by the medical imaging device. In medical imaging environments, in addition to primary radiation, secondary radiation (radiation emitted from the patient’s body and leakage from the tube) also exists, which is why lead layers must be precisely overlapped to prevent radiation leakage.

The high purity of radiological lead sheets is a key factor in absorbing X-ray radiation. One of lead’s most important properties is its ability to block radioactive radiation, which is why lead is used to create protective barriers against radiation sources, including lead shielding for CT rooms, radiology rooms, operating rooms, nuclear facilities, dental imaging rooms, mammography, and more. Lead used in X-ray imaging centers is produced in thicknesses of 1, 1.5, 2, and 2.2 millimeters, with thicker lead sheets being used in nuclear medicine. Therefore, the thickness of lead sheets is determined based on the radiation output of the devices, and insulation and lead shielding services are provided accordingly.

Gamma rays are a type of electromagnetic radiation with high energy and high penetration power through various materials. Lead glass is used as a heavy material with the ability to absorb and block these rays. Despite containing heavy metals, lead glass has high optical transmission, providing clear visibility. Lead glass has a pale yellow tint, and its transparency decreases with increased thickness. Other applications of lead glass include lead doors, lead screens, and lead partitions.