Both U.S. states and global markets are tightening restrictions on hazardous materials. Products that contain lead may trigger compliance hurdles under California’s Proposition 65 or the European Union’s RoHS directive (Restriction of Hazardous Substances), which limits the use of certain toxic materials in electrical and electronic equipment.

Using lead-free shielding simplifies compliance with these and other industry regulations. This helps companies avoid fines, mitigate liability, and move faster through approvals, especially when operating internationally or selling to government or healthcare sectors.

Lead exposure is a well-documented health risk. Long-term exposure to even small amounts of lead can cause lead toxicity, particularly in healthcare and industrial staff that need radiation shielding on a regular basis. Even during installation or routine maintenance, improperly handled lead-based shielding can pose a danger to workers on the job site.

Switching to lead-free materials helps create a safer workspace for installers, technicians, and facility staff. For companies focused on employee safety, that’s more than just a box checked—it’s a reputation builder.

Lead-based shielding products come with steep disposal costs that can quickly offset any up-front savings. Lead is classified as hazardous waste by the Resource Conservation and Conservatory Act (RCRA), and disposing of it safely requires expensive, heavily regulated processes. Over time, those costs add up.

Sustainable, non-toxic shielding materials don’t require special disposal procedures, reducing both the financial and environmental costs associated with end-of-life products. That means less paperwork, fewer regulatory fees, and more efficient operations.

Sustainable shielding materials can also support LEED certification and broader Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives. Whether you’re bidding on new construction projects or strengthening your company’s sustainability commitments, integrating non-toxic shielding solutions adds value across the board.

It’s a win-win for builders, architects, and project managers looking to align with eco-conscious design without sacrificing performance.

Today’s organizations are thinking long-term, and that includes how they source and implement protective materials. By choosing shielding that’s safe, sustainable, and regulation-ready, businesses are making a strategic investment in efficiency, compliance, and public trust. Businesses, healthcare providers, and manufacturers that prioritize environmental responsibility are also building trust with their clients and communities.

At Artemis Shielding, we specialize in lead-free radiation shielding solutions that align with modern safety and sustainability standards. Our proprietary materials are engineered for protection without the toxicity, disposal issues, or compliance headaches.

Ready to future-proof your shielding strategy? Contact us to learn how Artemis can support your project with smarter, safer shielding.

Radiation shielding isn’t just about aprons. For many healthcare facilities, the real protection happens at the structural level, with custom-built barriers, control booths, room shielding systems, and mobile units that prevent radiation exposure in shared or adjacent workspaces.

Artemis Shielding’s lead-free shielding materials are engineered to offer the same attenuation as traditional lead with none of the health risks associated with lead toxicity. That means techs, nurses, and physicians working around the clock in imaging and treatment environments are better protected without being exposed to hazardous materials themselves.

Why Go Lead-Free?

While lead has been the standard for radiation protection, healthcare facilities are discovering significant drawbacks that impact both operations and long-term costs:

• Toxic to handle and dispose of
• Heavy and difficult to transport
• Costly to customize and install
• Increasingly regulated due to environmental concerns

Lead-free shielding solves all of the above.

Modern lead-free radiation shielding materials utilize advanced composite technologies to deliver equal or superior protection while solving the practical problems of traditional lead systems. These innovative materials leverage high-density elements including tungsten, bismuth, barium, and antimony to create effective radiation barriers. In fact, recent research demonstrates that modern lead-free composites can achieve up to 97% X-ray attenuation while offering significant advantages in weight, flexibility, and environmental safety.

When healthcare administrators weigh shielding options, lead-free materials offer clear advantages—starting with the installation process. Lighter and easier to handle, lead-free systems reduce labor costs and eliminate the need for heavy-duty structural supports. They also simplify regulatory approvals, since there’s no hazardous material involved.

Over time, the financial benefits multiply. Facilities avoid the steep fees tied to hazardous waste disposal and sidestep the environmental liabilities that can arise during renovations or demolitions. Lead-free materials are also more durable, resisting corrosion and structural fatigue that can compromise traditional lead over time.

Maintenance is easier, safer, and less expensive. And when it’s time to expand or reconfigure a space, there’s no need for specialized handling—just standard construction protocols.

From installation to disposal, lead-free shielding offers a lower total cost of ownership and dramatically reduces the risks that come with legacy lead systems. It’s not just a safer choice—it’s a smarter one.

Artemis Shielding’s Nanotek® technology represents the cutting edge of lead-free radiation protection for healthcare facilities, offering comprehensive solutions for every shielding need.

Artemis Shielding’s proprietary lead-free materials are lighter, non-toxic, and customizable to your clinical needs, making them easier to fabricate, install, and maintain. They’re ideal for high-traffic medical spaces like:

• Diagnostic imaging rooms
• Mobile imaging trailers
• Radiation therapy suites
• PET and nuclear medicine labs
• Operating rooms with imaging capabilities

Nanotek® XYZ and RSM Materials provide complete room protection:

• Direct application to existing drywall with adhesive backing
• Profile extruded corners and door/window jambs for complete coverage
• Custom sheet sizes for efficient installation
• Cost-effective pricing comparable to raw lead
• Lead equivalency from 0.35mm to 2mm for diverse applications

Specialized mobile imaging solutions for CT, X-Ray, and Mammography units:

• Significant weight reduction compared to traditional shielding
• Reduced vehicle operation costs and wear
• Enhanced mobility for off-site diagnostic services
• Superior protection for surrounding public areas

Custom Barrier Systems

Flexible barrier solutions for diverse healthcare environments:

• Three standard sizes (30″W x 75″H, 36″W x 75″H, 40″W x 75″H)
• Optional leaded glass windows for visibility requirements
• Lightweight, ergonomic design for easy repositioning
• Quick installation completed within minutes

Nuclear Medicine Applications

Specialized solutions for radiopharmaceutical environments:

• I-131 application barriers for patient treatment areas
• Custom waste decay cabinets for nuclear medicine facilities
• High-energy protection with Nanotek® RSM material
• Configurable designs for specific space requirements

Ready to eliminate lead from your healthcare facility’s radiation protection system? Contact Artemis Shielding to learn how our Nanotek® technology can enhance protection while reducing installation complexity, long-term costs, and environmental liability. Our radiation shielding specialists will work with you to develop a customized solution that meets your specific facility requirements and regulatory compliance needs.

Non-Destructive Testing is exactly what it sounds like: a way to inspect materials for cracks, voids, or other defects without compromising the item’s integrity. NDT is essential for:

• Product research & development: testing new materials or designs under simulated stress
• Quality control: catching internal defects like voids, cracks, or weld flaws
• Regulatory compliance: especially in sectors like aerospace, energy, nuclear, and defense
• Operational safety: preventing catastrophic failure in critical systems

Unlike destructive testing, which breaks or cuts a sample to analyze it, NDT preserves the item being tested through highly technical methods like ultrasonic, magnetic-particle, or eddy-current testing. Radiographic testing (RT), one of the most powerful NDT methods, uses X-rays or gamma rays to inspect inside dense materials. It’s incredibly effective but poses risks to people and the environment if not handled properly.

An NDT vault is a secure, shielded room designed to safely conduct radiographic testing. Inside, powerful radiation is used to scan the internal structure of components. Outside, no one should be exposed to that radiation — which is where shielding comes in.

These vaults are typically lined with dense shielding materials and outfitted with features like:

• Interlocking doors
• Radiation alarms
• Remote operation capabilities

Whether it’s inspecting microchips with 80kV portable units or testing nuclear ship components with 9MeV sources, the right vault ensures safety, compliance, and precision.

An NDT vault is a specially engineered room designed to safely contain high levels of ionizing radiation. Without proper shielding:

• Workers can be exposed to ionizing radiation, increasing the risk of long-term health effects including cancer and organ damage.
• Surrounding environments (including soil and water) can become contaminated, especially if lead or radioactive materials leak.
• Facility compliance may be compromised, risking fines, shutdowns, and damage to public trust.

Traditional shielding materials like lead offer strong protection — but they’re heavy, toxic, and difficult to dispose of responsibly. Improper handling during construction or demolition can pose major health and environmental threats.

Historically, NDT vaults have relied on lead-lined steel or thick concrete to block radiation. And while effective, these materials come with trade-offs:

• Excessive weight and space demands
• Difficult and expensive installation
• Toxicity concerns and environmental risks

As testing needs evolve — and sustainability regulations tighten — many companies are rethinking their shielding strategies.

Artemis Shielding offers a smarter, cleaner alternative. Our Nanotek® and XYZ-Pure™ materials are lead-free, non-toxic, and fully customizable, delivering high-performance shielding without the downsides.

Key benefits include:

• Exceptional radiation attenuation across a wide range of applications, from 80kV electronics inspections to 100Mev nuclear vaults.
• Reduced weight and footprint, which can lower construction and installation costs.
• RoHS and Cal Prop 65 compliance, supporting safer workplaces and a greener planet.
• Fully customizable designs to fit any vault shape, size, or shielding requirement.

These materials are already being used in NDT vaults across sectors like defense, energy, aerospace, and electronics, helping companies build a safer testing environment without compromising sustainability goals.

Safer Shielding for a Smarter Future

As Artemis Shielding continues to raise the bar with advanced NDT vault solutions, our recent vault installation is just one more example of how innovation, safety, and sustainability can work together.

Ready to upgrade your NDT protection?
Contact Artemis Shielding to learn more about custom, lead-free radiation shielding for your next testing facility.

Traditional lead shielding may block radiation, but it comes with serious health and environmental concerns. Artemis Shielding offers a smarter, safer alternative: lead-free shielding materials made from proprietary thermoplastic polymer alloys. Our formulas incorporate high atomic number elements to ensure superior radiation attenuation without the toxic risks of lead exposure.

This means no hazardous materials, no complicated disposal processes, and no extra cost for hazmat handling.

Our radiation shielding products are designed with installers in mind. Lightweight and user-friendly, they require no specialized equipment or protective gear for installation. Extruded corners, door jambs, and panels fit seamlessly together to save time, labor, and headaches. Just apply adhesive, press, and you’re protected!

The result? Faster installs, fewer delays, and a cleaner finish.

Artemis products don’t just meet industry standards—they raise them. Our materials are sustainable, non-toxic, RoHS and Prop 65 compliant, and 100% recyclable. Whether you’re shielding a medical imaging room, a military vehicle, or high-value equipment, you can count on long-term performance that doesn’t degrade over time.

Not only are our solutions safer and stronger, but they’re also more economical in the long run. Our products boast durability that outlasts traditional lead shielding, reducing your long-term replacement costs. And since they’re non-toxic, disposal is straightforward and environmentally friendly, avoiding the extra expenses associated with hazardous waste.

Our shielding materials weigh up to 30% less than lead, which reduces transportation costs and improves handling safety. Plus, our products take up less space to fit easily into compact rooms, tight corners, and mobile applications.

From hospitals and manufacturing plants to aerospace and defense programs, Artemis Shielding is a trusted name across industries that demand the highest level of protection. Our products have even been deployed in some of the most advanced and secure environments on Earth—and beyond!

Ready to Ditch the Lead?
If you’re looking for high-performance, lead-free radiation shielding that puts safety, efficiency, and sustainability first, Artemis Shielding is the clear choice. Explore our full line of shielding products and request a quote today!

Not only are our solutions safer and stronger, but they’re also more economical in the long run. Our products boast durability that outlasts traditional lead shielding, reducing your long-term replacement costs. And since they’re non-toxic, disposal is straightforward and environmentally friendly, avoiding the extra expenses associated with hazardous waste.

When it comes to protecting ourselves from harmful radiation, lead has long been the go-to material. But as we become more aware of the health and environmental risks associated with lead, it’s clear that lead-free radiation shielding is the way forward. Let’s dive into why this shift is happening and what it means for industries that rely on radiation protection.

Health Risks of Lead Exposure

Lead is undeniably effective at blocking radiation, but it comes with significant health risks. Exposure to lead—even in small amounts—can cause serious health problems, including:

• Neurological damage: Particularly harmful to children and developing fetuses, lead exposure can cause learning disabilities, reduced IQ, and behavioral problems.
• Cardiovascular issues: Long-term exposure can lead to high blood pressure and heart disease.
• Reproductive harm: Lead has been linked to infertility and reproductive disease in both men and women. It’s also known to cause birth defects in unborn children and increase the risk of miscarriage.
• Workplace hazards: Handling lead-based shielding poses occupational risks, requiring strict safety measures to prevent inhalation or ingestion of lead dust.

A 2017 study by the American College of Radiology found that 63% of lead-containing shields had detectable surface lead, creating a potentially widespread exposure hazard in healthcare settings.

Environmental Downsides of Lead Shielding

Beyond personal health risks, lead shielding also poses serious environmental concerns:

• Soil Contamination: Lead can leach into the ground when improperly disposed of, making land unusable and requiring expensive remediation efforts.
• Water Pollution: When lead enters water systems it can persist for decades, affecting aquatic ecosystems. Fish and other organisms bioaccumulate lead, meaning small amounts build up over time and can pollute sources of human drinking water.
• Airborne Lead Exposure: During manufacturing, handling, and disposal, lead particles can become airborne and pose an inhalation hazard to workers and nearby communities.

Handling and disposing of lead materials require strict protocols to prevent environmental contamination.  However, lead exposure can still occur when old shielding materials degrade or are discarded irresponsibly, leading to global regulations for lead-based materials:

• The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) classifies lead as hazardous waste, meaning disposal is highly regulated and costly. Many facilities struggle with proper disposal, leading to illegal dumping and contamination risks.
• The Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive restricts the use of lead in electrical and electronic equipment to minimize environmental contamination. This has driven manufacturers to seek safer, lead-free shielding materials.
• The California Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act (Prop 65) lists lead as a substance known to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm. Products containing lead must carry warning labels, which can affect consumer perception and regulatory compliance.
• The OSHA Lead Standard states that airborne lead concentrations above 50 µg/m³ require strict workplace safety measures, including respiratory protection and air filtration systems.

With increasing regulatory pressure from agencies like the EPA, OSHA, and the European Union’s REACH program, industries using lead shielding face stricter restrictions, higher disposal costs, and potential legal consequences.

To address these issues, many industries are turning to lead-free radiation shielding materials made from alternative metals or advanced polymer composites. These materials offer the same level of radiation protection without the toxic drawbacks of lead. They also present businesses with a number of positive benefits compared to traditional shielding products.

In the security sector, shielding curtains are used to contain harmful radiation produced by x-ray machinery in applications like baggage scanning, security checks, and quality control. Lead-free shielding curtains are an advanced alternative to traditional lead-based barriers used in radiation protection; they use innovative, non-toxic materials to provide a safe and sustainable shielding solution without the environmental and health risks associated with lead.

Artemis Shielding’s curtains are expertly designed to meet the rigorous demands of security applications, ensuring compliance with safety standards while providing superior shielding performance.

Artemis Shielding’s lead-free curtains are commonly used in:

• Airport security scanners: Providing essential radiation containment in passenger and baggage screening systems, including the award-winning IDSS DETECT™1000 scanner used in major airports around the world.
• Border control checkpoints: Safeguarding personnel and travelers during high-tech scanning processes.
• Industrial and government facilities: Offering protection in environments where security scans are routine.
• Food and processing facilities: Containing radiation from X-ray systems used for contaminant detection and quality control to ensure product safety and worker protection.

Artemis Shielding is committed to protecting people and the world. Join our community, stay updated on the latest advancements, and be a part of the movement toward a safer future.

Nuclear facilities require shielding solutions tailored to specific operational and structural requirements. From reactor shielding to spent fuel storage areas, Artemis Shielding provides nuclear shielding products that meet the precise demands of modern nuclear facilities:

• Safe and Strong Materials: Instead of traditional lead, our products and solutions utilize Thermoplastic Polymer Alloys to bind the various dispersed high atomic numbered elements to shield people from radiation safely and reliably.
• Nanotek® Brick: Custom injection molded or extruded interlocking bricks for use in applications where the emission of radiation is 511 KeV up to 15 MeV. Our Nanotek® Brick is easily installed, customizable based on shielding requirements and made with Nanotek® XYZ material, a cost-effective replacement comparable to the price of raw lead.
• Custom Solutions: Our customizable solutions provide lead-free material for pipe shielding and wrapping, injection molding, flooring, permanent barriers and more.