Assessing the effectiveness of glass in radiation shielding: a comprehensive literature review

Ionizing radiation, produced by atoms in the form of particles or electromagnetic waves, poses significant risks to human health and the environment. The search for appropriate shielding materials is critical in radiation protection, particularly in areas where ionizing radiation offers major threats. Conventional materials, for example, lead, are functional but have downsides such as toxicity and rigidity. Nowadays, glass materials have emerged as a possible alternative. Benefits of glass materials include their clarity, ease of handling, and the ability to incorporate rare earth elements and heavy metal oxides to enhance radiation attenuation. Throughout this review study we have found several experimental and simulation-based studies that have optimized glass compositions such as borovanadate, borosilicate, gadolinium silicoborate, and tellurite doped with BiO₃, TeO₂, CdO, MoO₃, SrO, BaO, and Yb3⁺. The shielding metrics (MAC, LAC, HVL, and Zeff) and mechanical characteristics are enhanced by these changes. Computational techniques such as MCNP, FLUKA, Geant4, XCOM, and SRIM can further verify performance predictions with high accuracy. Notable developments also include lead-free bismuth-silicate glasses and aquatic shields based on clear SPT POM. Despite improvements, striking a balance between optical clarity, mechanical soundness, and shielding effectiveness is still difficult to achieve. To validate glass's potential as a next-generation radiation shielding material, future research will examine structural defects, atomic-level radiation interactions, and adjustable optical properties.