Physics

Radiation Protection

Radiation protection refers to the principles, requirements, technology, and procedures for safeguarding individuals (radiation workers, the general public, and patients receiving radiation diagnosis and therapy) against the damaging effects of ionising radiation. It dates back to the early twentieth century. Very quickly after the discoveries of radiation and radioactivity, the benefits of radiation were recognised in the use of X-rays for medical diagnosis. The haste to capitalise on the medical benefits quickly led to the recognition of the other side of the coin: radiation-induced damage. Only the most evident forms of radiation injury, such as radiation burns, were recognised in those early days, and protection efforts concentrated on their prevention, mostly for practitioners than than patients. This was the beginning of radiation protection as a discipline, despite the fact that the problem was narrow. It was increasingly recognised throughout the middle decades of this century that there were other, less evident, adverse radiation consequences, such as radiation-induced cancer, for which there is a danger even at modest doses of radiation. This danger cannot be entirely avoided. It can only be reduced to the bare minimum. As a result, a major component of radiation protection is the overt balancing of benefits from nuclear and radiation operations against radiation danger, as well as measures to reduce residual risk.

• Traditional Lead Shielding
• Lead Composite Shielding
• Lead-Free Shielding
• Radiation therapy
• Diagnostic imaging