How Can You Shield a Radiology Room?

If you are involved in a diagnostic radiology job, where there is an involvement of certain ionizing radiation, then it will be necessary to create a proper shielding.

The following are the few steps that you need to consider while doing your project:

• Specifications

Before you start your project a proper specification must be laid down and you need to adhere completely to that specification.

• Radiation calculations

All the calculations of radiation protection will first decide whether your project is achievable, and thereafter decide the type and thicknesses of the required biological protection.

• Shielding

While constructing any medical diagnostic rooms, where x-rays will be frequently used, you need to consider x-ray room walls, partitions, barriers, or certain enclosures that may encounter radiation.

It will be necessary to utilize lead drywall supplied by the Lead Glass Pro that uses a lead-lined gypsum board, which is considered the most efficient product for shielding. Lead-backed drywalls are designed and engineered for covering the surfaces within the room that is likely to get exposed to certain gamma radiation of ionizing x-ray. 

• Certification

Finally, your installation has to be certified and also must comply with all the safety standards very strictly. 

You also must follow the following 10 principles for shielding any radiation

1. Obtain a shielding report certified by any qualified and well-recognized radiation health physicist before constructing any x-ray shielding.
2. Procure proper shielding materials only from any knowledgeable and established manufacturer of x-ray shielding having a good reputation.
3. For installation of shielding materials only prefer experienced professional contractors, having proper license and insurance.
4. Make sure that all the materials for radiation shielding like lead sheetrock are installed only on the wall’s radiation side.
5. Always ensure that the right shielding material has been installed on the right wall, partition, or any barrier segment as per the specification supplied by your shielding report.
6. Always make sure that all penetrations, which may occur within the partition, shielded wall, or barrier are shielded properly and also overlapped with either the same or a little more thickness as per specification for the partition where the penetration usually occurs.
7. Always make sure that all control windows, x-ray glass, lined frames, and shielded doors that occur within the shielded partition must provide the same thickness as per specification for your partition.
8. Always confirm that your contractor can handle properly and carefully install all products and shielding materials as per the instructions of the manufacturer, and also following the applicable safety regulations and construction building codes.
9. All workers must wear proper protective gear and also clean and recycle completely all the material by following all applicable regulations for safety and the environment. Never dispose of any of such products in general trash.
10. After the completion of the project, get it tested and surveyed fully by the original health physicist for radiation and record all their reports. 

Your project must be handed over to your real user after following all these steps and for the initial few days, all the installation team must be present when your radiology room is under regular use.