use of lead shield for pXRF analysis

[Vanessa Muros]

Hi everyone,

One of our graduate students is taking our Tracer 5i to do some analysis in a museum.  They have told him that he is required to use a lead shield when using the instrument.  Some objects are small and he can use the round cup shaped shield that comes with the 5i.  But that's only 3 1/4" in diameter and there are a bunch of artifacts that he has to analyze that don't fit in there. Have any of you had to purchase a larger lead shield for your pXRF and have suggestions for one?

None of us here have ever encountered this issue before. I don't know if it's because of a city or state regulation or the museum's policy. I find it strange, especially knowing from our annual radiation inspections how little radiation is emitted during analysis, and am trying to get in touch with someone at that museum to get more information.  In the meantime I thought it might be helpful to start looking into lead shields in case in the end we need to purchase one.

thanks!

best,

Vanessa

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Vanessa Muros, PhD

Archaeological Conservator & Director,

Experimental and Archaeological Sciences Lab (EASL)

Cotsen Institute, UCLA

A419 Fowler Building

Los Angeles, CA 90095-1510

vmu...@ucla.edu

http://ioa.ucla.edu/labs/experimental

https://ioa.ucla.edu/people/vanessa-muros

The Cotsen Institute of Archaeology at UCLA acknowledges the Gabrielino/Tongva peoples as the traditional land caretakers of Tovaangar (the Los Angeles basin and So. Channel Islands). As a land grant institution, we pay our respects to the Honuukvetam (Ancestors), ‘Ahiihirom (Elders) and ‘Eyoohiinkem (our relatives/relations) past, present and emerging.

[Arlen Heginbotham]

If you would like, I would be happy to talk to them about our procedures and precautions at the Getty which do not involve any lead shielding.

Arlen Heginbotham, Ph.D.

Conservator

The J. Paul Getty Museum

1200 Getty Center Drive, Su. 1000

Los Angeles, CA 90049

(310) 440-7178

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Subject: [pxrf] use of lead shield for pXRF analysis

 

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[Vanessa Muros]

Hi Arlen,

Thanks for the offer.  This is what I'm trying to do in regards to our procedures but am waiting to get some contact information for who to contact.  I'll let you know if I don't have any luck trying to convince them with our procedure.

best,

Vanessa

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Vanessa Muros, PhD

Archaeological Conservator & Director,

Experimental and Archaeological Sciences Lab (EASL)

Cotsen Institute, UCLA

A419 Fowler Building

Los Angeles, CA 90095-1510

vmu...@ucla.edu

http://ioa.ucla.edu/labs/experimental

https://ioa.ucla.edu/people/vanessa-muros

The Cotsen Institute of Archaeology at UCLA acknowledges the Gabrielino/Tongva peoples as the traditional land caretakers of Tovaangar (the Los Angeles basin and So. Channel Islands). As a land grant institution, we pay our respects to the Honuukvetam (Ancestors), ‘Ahiihirom (Elders) and ‘Eyoohiinkem (our relatives/relations) past, present and emerging.

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/pxrf/DS0PR05MB9643B54E96EDD9B726DC9280CA072%40DS0PR05MB9643.namprd05.prod.outlook.com.

[Aniko]

Hi Vanessa,
We purchased this model:
https://www.zzmedical.com/x-ray-practices/pediatrics/mobile-lead-porta-shield.html

We were advised by Yale's radiation safety team that using this during open-beam analysis would add an extra layer of safety and would be helpful during state inspection visits. Ours is 24" x 36". The height is adjustable, and you can easily separate the rolling base from the vertical beam. We use it routinely and take it with us when working away from our labs.

I take Arlen's point about ways to set up measurements safely - it can be done and done consistently! (We also take a survey meter with us to check levels and ensure the safety of the operator and others in the room.) However, we have also encountered situations where that reassurance was insufficient. 

Best wishes,

Aniko

Anikó Bezur, PhD

Wallace S. Wilson Director of Scientific Research

Heritage Science Research Lab

Institute for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage, Yale University

 http://ipch.yale.edu

[Vanessa Muros]

Hi Aniko,

Thanks for the info on this lead shield.  It's good to know that it can be easily taken apart for travel.  I'll look into this.

best,

Vanessa

---

Vanessa Muros, PhD

Archaeological Conservator & Director,

Experimental and Archaeological Sciences Lab (EASL)

Cotsen Institute, UCLA

A419 Fowler Building

Los Angeles, CA 90095-1510

vmu...@ucla.edu

http://ioa.ucla.edu/labs/experimental

https://ioa.ucla.edu/people/vanessa-muros

The Cotsen Institute of Archaeology at UCLA acknowledges the Gabrielino/Tongva peoples as the traditional land caretakers of Tovaangar (the Los Angeles basin and So. Channel Islands). As a land grant institution, we pay our respects to the Honuukvetam (Ancestors), ‘Ahiihirom (Elders) and ‘Eyoohiinkem (our relatives/relations) past, present and emerging.

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/pxrf/130de870-cffa-4921-8fe6-e12a79850361n%40googlegroups.com.