Is Lead Indispensable for X-Ray Protection?
Evaluation of the efficiency of a Lead-Free Homopolymer by Cone-Beam computed tomography

ABSTRACT

Aim: Anti-RAD is a radiation shield made of lead-free polymer. The aim of this

research is to evaluate radiation protection effectiveness of anti-RAD with a lead-based

radiation shield and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT).

Materials and Methods: For the study, thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD) were

placed on the phantom body, which is the equivalent of human soft and hard tissue, in

the regions representing the tissues whose absorption doses are to be measured. CBCT

images with the same parameters were obtained with three different exposure protocols.

The first protocol was performed without any radiation shielding. In the second

protocol, a 0.5 mmPb equivalent lead-containing apron and thyroid protector were used;

in the third protocol, a 0.5 mmPb equivalent anti-RAD was used. Each exposure

protocol was repeated three times and the average of the three values was used for

evaluation. Afterwards, an independent group t-test was used to evaluate whether the

difference in reducing the radiation dose between the measurement results obtained

from TLDs and the protocols was significant.

Results: The thyroid organ tissue absorption dose was 1.160, 0.695 and 0.673 mSv for

the three protocols, respectively. A dose reduction of approximately 40% was achieved

with lead shielding and approximately 42% with anti-RAD protection. The thyroid skin

tissue absorption dose was 2.990, 0.757 and 0.737 mSv for the three protocols,

respectively. A dose reduction of approximately 75% occurred with both lead shielding

and anti-RAD protection. The right breast skin tissue absorption dose was 0.122, 0.023,

and 0.027 mSv for the three protocols, respectively. A dose reduction of approximately

83% was achieved with lead shielding and approximately 80% with anti-RAD

protection. The left breast skin tissue absorption dose was 0.137, 0.033, and 0.040 mSv

for the three protocols, respectively. A dose reduction of approximately 75% with lead

shielding and approximately 71% with anti-RAD protection occurred. There is no

statistically significant difference between the radiation blocking rates of the second and

third protocols.

Conclusion: Anti-RAD product provides similar protection rate with 0.5 mmPb

equivalent shields against ionizing radiation generated by a CBCT device operating

with 110 kV energy. With this material, disadvantages such as environmental toxicity of

lead, weight, decrease in effectiveness due to usage damage can be eliminated.

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