What thickness of shielding is usual for secondary radiation barriers?

The usual thickness of shielding for secondary radiation barriers is typically 1/32-inch lead. Secondary barriers are designed to protect against scatter radiation, which occurs when primary radiation interacts with materials and deflects. Since secondary barriers are not directly exposed to the primary beam, they do not require as much shielding material as primary barriers. The choice of 1/32-inch lead is sufficient to attenuate the lower levels of radiation associated with scatter, making it an appropriate and commonly used standard in many radiation protection practices. This choice balances effective protection while minimizing the amount of material and weight involved in the shielding design, which is a practical consideration in facility planning and construction.