How to Select the Right Radiation Shielding for Your Industry

Choosing the right radiation shielding is essential for maintaining safety, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency in hazardous environments. With over 50 years of experience, Lancs Industries has become North America’s leading manufacturer of radiation shielding and containment products. Our extensive range of solutions is specifically designed to meet the varied needs of different industries, from nuclear power plants to shipyards and pharmaceutical facilities. Here’s how to select the ideal radiation shielding for your sector.

Understand Your Industry’s Specific Needs

Every industry that deals with radioactive materials encounters unique challenges in managing radiation exposure. Selecting the right shielding solution starts with a detailed understanding of the type of radiation, exposure levels, working conditions, and operational constraints present in your sector. Here’s a closer look at how different industries define their shielding needs:

• Nuclear Power Plants and DOE Remediation Sites:
  These environments routinely expose workers to gamma rays and neutron radiation during operations like reactor maintenance, spent fuel management, and decontamination projects. High-density shielding is necessary to protect workers during refueling outages and while handling contaminated equipment. Lancs Industries’ flexible lead blankets, shielding curtains, and custom barriers provide critical protection, while containment tents and HEPA-filtered ventilation systems help prevent the spread of radioactive contamination during large-scale decommissioning and environmental cleanup efforts.
• Naval Shipyards and Nuclear Submarines:
  Nuclear propulsion systems onboard ships and submarines demand shielding solutions that fit into confined, complex structures. In these maritime environments, space and weight constraints are paramount. Workers benefit from lead-free shielding options like tungsten or bismuth based materials that offer maximum radiation attenuation without adding excessive weight to vessels. Flexible containment solutions, such as glovebags and custom-fitted sheeting, are vital for conducting repairs and inspections in restricted areas while maintaining full radiation safety.
• Research Laboratories and Universities:
  Laboratories involved in nuclear physics, medical research, or material science often work with smaller-scale radioactive sources. However, precision is key, shielding must not interfere with experiments or delicate procedures. Lightweight, portable shielding barriers and glovebags allow researchers to safely conduct experiments without compromising the integrity of their work. Furthermore, mobile containment tents help create isolated clean zones in shared lab spaces where radioactive material handling occurs.
• Medical Facilities and Pharmaceutical Manufacturing:
  Hospitals, imaging centers, and pharmaceutical labs regularly utilize radiation in diagnostic procedures (such as X-rays and CT scans) and in the development of radiopharmaceuticals. Here, shielding must not only be effective but also easy to clean and compliant with strict hygiene standards. In pharmaceutical facilities, isolators and glovebags ensure safe handling of radioactive compounds while preventing product contamination.
• Industrial Radiography and Non-Destructive Testing:
  In industries like oil and gas, and construction, radiography is used to inspect welds and structural components for flaws. Mobile and rugged shielding solutions are needed to protect technicians working on remote job sites. Flexible lead blankets and portable containment systems allow for rapid setup and breakdown, minimizing exposure risks even in challenging field environments.
• Waste Management and Environmental Remediation:
  Sites tasked with handling and disposing of radioactive waste require shielding solutions that are durable, adaptable, and able to accommodate large volumes of hazardous material. Flexible lead wraps, containment tents, and HEPA filtration systems ensure that workers stay protected during packaging, transport, and long-term storage operations.

Selecting the right radiation shielding for your industry involves understanding your specific hazards, evaluating material choices, and ensuring comprehensive containment. With its extensive range of products—including lead and lead-free shielding, flexible containment solutions, and customizable designs—Lancs Industries is the trusted partner for organizations dedicated to protecting their workers and maintaining the highest safety standards.

To learn more about how we can support your industry’s unique radiation protection needs, visit lancsindustries.com.