ASNT Industrial Radiography Radiation Safety Practice Test

What is the primary form of shielding provided by modern exposure devices?

1. Lead

2. Steel

3. Depleted uranium (DU)

4. Aluminum

The correct answer is: Depleted uranium (DU)

The primary form of shielding provided by modern exposure devices is depleted uranium (DU). Depleted uranium is favored in many industrial radiography applications due to its high density and effective radiation absorption properties. Because its density is greater than that of lead, it provides superior shielding in a more compact form, which is particularly important in portable exposure devices used in the field. Depleted uranium also has a relatively low level of radioactivity, which minimizes the overall radiation hazard compared to other materials with high atomic numbers. This makes it a practical choice for shielding in environments where weight and space considerations are critical, allowing technicians to operate the devices safely and effectively while ensuring compliance with radiation safety standards. While lead is a common shielding material known for its radiation protection qualities, modern practices have shifted towards using depleted uranium for its enhanced effectiveness in shielding without excessively increasing the weight or size of the device. Steel and aluminum, although they have their uses in construction and support of devices, do not provide the same level of effective radiation shielding as depleted uranium.