Comparison of Experiments and Simulations to Estimate Deviations in Lead Equivalent in Radiation-Protection Devices

Abstract

Background/Objectives: The purpose was to estimate deviation in lead equivalents when radiation-protection devices were exposed to the energy range that encompasses medical diagnostic conditions through an experimental and a simulation(GATE).

Methods/Statistical analyses: Deviations in lead equivalent of 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, and 1.00 mmPb were made at thicknesses of 0.02, 0.02, 0.03, and 0.05 mmPb, respectively, to irradiate the energy corresponding to a tube voltage of 90, 100, 110, and 120 kV with a distance(SDD) of 100 cm between the source and detector. Results were normalized for each reference lead equivalent by comparing and analyzing between the experiment and thesimulation.

Findings: Experiments and simulationsshowed that lower lead equivalents of radiation-protection devices and higher tube voltages were associated with greater differences in radiation penetration rates, depending on unit thickness deviation. For the lead equivalent of 0.25 mmPb, the difference between experiment and simulation for all energy levels averaged 2.59% when deviation occurred at 0.02 mmPb intervals, 2.56% for 0.50 mmPb, 1.29% for 0.75 mmPb, and 1.91% for 1.00 mmPb. These results confirm for each parameter that the rate of penetration that a radiation-protection device wearer can receive in the event of a lead equivalent deviation is significantly increased. Studies on shielding by lead equivalent that evaluated X-rays and -rays, which are a mono energy, and studies assessing the degree of harm caused by deviation in lead equivalent in terms of radiation dose are needed.

Improvements/Applications: In this study, we propose a reliability evaluation method for verification and development of shielding materials using simulation tools when experimental optionsare restricted due to conditions.