Table 6 -10. Uranium Beta Shielding

DOE-STD-1136-2004

Guide of Good Practices for Occupational Radiation Protection in Uranium Facilities

Table 6 -10. Uranium Beta Shielding

Approximate Material Thickness

Material

Required to Stop 234mPa Betas, cm

Air

850

Aluminum

0.41

Lead

0.10

Lucite

0.92

Pyrex Glass

0.49

Polyethylene

1.2

Stainless Steel (347)

0.14

Water

1.1

Wood

1.7 (approx.)

Uranium

0.06

Table 6 -11. Uranium Beta Dose Reduction Factors

Fraction of Beta

Item

Dose Remaining

Vinyl surgeon's gloves

0.95

Latex surgeon's gloves

0.87

Lead loaded, 10-mil lead equivalent

0.77

Lead-loaded, 30- mil lead equivalent

0.13

Pylox gloves

0.62

Leather, medium weight

0.62

White cotton gloves

0.89

"Tyvek" coveralls

0.98

"Durafab" paper lab coat

0.96

65% Dacron/35% cotton lab coat

0.91

Contamination build-up inside of work gloves has led to unacceptable hand doses in some

facilities. Re-use of leather or cloth gloves should be reviewed carefully for such build-up. Workers

should wear thin, anti-contamination gloves inside the heavy gloves.

Dose to the lens of the eye can be effectively reduced through the use of ordinary glasses, safety

glasses, or face shields. Such eye protection should be required when workers are dealing with the high

beta fields from concentrated uranium decay products.

6-23