Rethinking radiation shielding in healthcare
Hospitals, imaging centres and laboratories rely on effective radiation shielding to protect healthcare workers, patients and visitors. Ensuring safe, well-shielded environments is an essential part of healthcare facility design.
Concrete has long been used as a radiation shielding material because of its density. Traditionally, achieving the required level of protection has meant constructing thicker concrete walls. While effective, this approach consumes more materials and reduces valuable floor space — a significant consideration in land-scarce cities like Singapore.
Advances in concrete technology are making it possible to achieve the same level of protection more efficiently, allowing walls to be thinner without compromising safety.
Pan-United developed PanU Shield, a high-density concrete containing special raw materials that protect against radiation hazards, to meet the Ministry of Health’s specifications for the proton therapy rooms at the National Cancer Centre Singapore. It provides effective radiation shielding while optimising space and reducing material consumption.
As healthcare infrastructure continues to evolve, innovations like PanU Shield demonstrate how specialised concrete solutions can deliver functional performance, support sustainable construction and create safer environments for people.
