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Abstract

A radiation shield, which may attenuate nuclear radiation or ionizing particles, may include a non-toxic, radioactivity-attenuating material based on an element or an elemental species having an atomic number of 56 or more. Examples of such materials include barium sulfate and bismuth oxide. A radiation shield may include two or more different radioactivity-attenuating materials, which may attenuate different types of nuclear radiation or ionizing particles, or attenuate different energy ranges of nuclear radiation or ionizing particles. Different radioactivity-attenuating materials may be carried by different layers of the radiation shield. Radiation shields with at least partially superimposed layers are also disclosed. Adjacent layers of such a radiation shield may be able to move longitudinally relative to one another, or slide somewhat relative to each other. Any of these features may be incorporated into a blanket, a protective suit or other protective garment, tape or any other configuration of radiation shield. Pliable radiation shields that attenuate nuclear radiation or ionizing particles are also disclosed, as are methods for limiting exposure to nuclear radiation or ionizing particles.

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First Claim