Lead-Free Alternatives for Radiation Shielding in Medical Environments: A Comprehensive Review

In radiography, effective radiation shielding is crucial to ensure the safety of patients, medical staff, and the public. Traditionally, lead has been the primary shielding material due to its high atomic number and density, which provide efficient radiation attenuation. However, lead presents several challenges, including significant weight, toxicity, long-term health risks, and serious environmental concerns. Lead waste is classified as hazardous due to its non-biodegradable nature, potential for soil and water contamination, and difficulties associated with safe disposal and recycling processes. These issues have driven the search for safer and more sustainable alternatives. Recent advancements have led to the development of lead-free shielding materials designed to replace conventional lead-based shields. Among these, lead-free multilayered polymer composites have emerged as promising substitutes, often enhanced with elements such as bismuth, tungsten, barium, tin, cadmium, gadolinium, antimony, and molybdenum to improve their radiation protection capabilities. This study examines the potential of these alternatives to address the limitations of traditional lead shielding, with a particular focus on their development and application in medical settings. By reducing toxicity, lowering weight, and improving recyclability, these materials offer a more environmentally friendly and health-conscious approach to radiation protection.