Protective clothing has been developed for people who work around radioactive materials on a regular basis or who might be called to respond to a nuclear accident where radioactivity has been released into the environment.
Some ordinary fabrics can shield the skin from the ultraviolet light of the sun but others provide no protection. If you are concerned about sun exposure, you should check to insure that the material in shirts, hats, pants and shoes can block UV rays. Some but not all sunglasses block UV radiation.
Pregnant women who are concerned about everyday radiation from things like microwave ovens and laptop computers can now buy special blankets such as Belly Armor to protect the fetus in their womb.
Glasses and face masking shields employing lead and acrylic plastic are used where there is a danger of radiation exposure to the face. They are primarily used by X-ray technicians.
Gloves that reduce radiation exposure are available from many manufacturers. Older gloves employed lead and often required the use of powder on the hands before they were worn. Newer designs are thinner and more flexible without lead in the materials and without the need for powders. The gloves provide protection against alpha, beta, gamma and x-ray radiation. Applications include fluoroscopy, handling of radio isotopes, x-ray equipment operation and nuclear medicine.
Rubber boots are manufactured for use against radiation. Like the gloves, the materials have become thinner, more flexible and do not have to utilize lead. There are galoshes style that are worn over regular shoes or boots as well as boots that are worn alone. These boots are used in environments where there may be radioactive materials on the ground or floor of a building. The boots provide protection against alpha, beta, gamma and x-ray radiation.
Lead aprons and vests are used to protected patients and staff in x-ray facilities. Recently new materials have been developed which do not require lead for x-ray protection. This makes the materials in the aprons and vests lighter, thinner, more flexible and easier to clean.
Full body suits are worn in environments where there is a danger of radiation exposure to the whole body. Once again, the older design of the suits employed lead in the materials but new materials such as Demron employ nanotechnology and do not require lead to provide good radiation protection t against alpha, beta, gamma and x-ray radiation.
Hazmat suits include full head covering hoods with a protective transparent face shields. They are sealed against air borne radioactive dust and moisture and utilize a filter system to permit the wearer to breath clear air. There are also suits that are sealed and have their own air tanks for use in very dangerous environments where the air contains toxic gases.
Eventually with the evolution of exoskeletons, emergency workers who have to deal with nuclear accidents at nuclear power plants will wear special suits of armor which will not only protect them from radiation but will also amplify their strength.
