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Shielding requirements for mammography

Journal Article · · Health Phys.; (United States)

Shielding requirements for mammography installations have been investigated. To apply the methodologies of NCRP Report No. 49, the scatter-to-incident ratio of a typical mammography beam was measured, and the broad beam transmission was calculated for several representative beam spectra. These calculations were found to compare favorably with published low kVp tungsten-targeted x-ray transmission through a variety of shielding materials. Radiation shielding tables were developed from the calculated transmissions through Pb, concrete, gypsum, steel, plate glass, and water, using a technique which eliminates the ''add one HVL'' rule. It is concluded that Mo-targeted x-ray beams operated at 35 kVp require half the shielding of W-targeted beams operated at 50 kVp, and that adequate, cost-effective shielding calculations will consider alternatives to Pb.

Research Organization:
St. Luke's Hospital, Milwaukee, WI
OSTI ID:
6019173
Journal Information:
Health Phys.; (United States), Journal Name: Health Phys.; (United States) Vol. 53:3; ISSN HLTPA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English