What is the purpose of shielding in radiation safety?

The purpose of shielding in radiation safety is to protect individuals from exposure by absorbing or blocking radiation. Radiation can pose significant health risks to people, and shielding is a crucial safety measure designed to reduce these risks. By using materials that can absorb or deflect radiation, such as lead, concrete, or specialized plastics, shielding helps to minimize the amount of radiation that can reach individuals nearby, thus ensuring their safety in environments where radiation is present.

While the enhancement of visual appearance of radiation equipment is important for usability and awareness, it does not play a role in radiation safety. Increasing the efficiency of radiation detectors is beneficial for monitoring and measuring radiation levels but is not directly related to the concept of shielding. Similarly, while making the transport of radioactive materials easier is a logistical consideration, it does not address the primary concern of protecting people from radiation exposure, which is the main goal of shielding.