Considerations on Replacing Lead with Steel in Glove Box Configurations

Abstract

For environmental reasons, it was proposed to remove the lead shielding in the front panel of a glove box and replace it with another material. This technical note shows that steel could be used. Also, the thickness of steel required to maintain acceptable doses to an operator is determined. Computer modeling and analysis show that 3.175 cm (1¼ in.) of steel is required to maintain the same dose to the operator from gamma radiation as 0.635 cm (¼ in.) of lead. However, it was demonstrated that source placement and geometry play a large role in the operator’s dose independent of the structural material because of streaming through ports and windows. Because of streaming, the dose received through the metal in the front panel was not the dominant source of radiation to the operator. It was found that 1.5875 cm (5/8 in.) of steel could be used in the panel.