Medical Radiation Shielding Market Size, Share, and Trends 2024 to 2034

Medical Radiation Shielding Market Size and Forecast 2024 to 2034

The global medical radiation shielding market size is projected to be worth around USD 3.08 billion by 2034 from USD 1.61 billion in 2024, at a CAGR of 6.7% from 2024 to 2034. The North America medical radiation shielding market size reached USD 570 million in 2023. The medical radiation shielding market is driven by rising investments in the healthcare infrastructure, especially by developing countries such as Asian countries. Additionally, integration of advanced technologies in the market creates potential for the market to grow.

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Medical Radiation Shielding Market Key Takeaways

• North America generated the largest market share of 38% in 2023.
• Asia Pacific is observed to expand at a rapid pace during the forecast period.
• By product type, the x-ray shields segment accounted for the dominating share of the market in 2023.
• By product type, the MRI shields segment is observed to grow at the fastest rate during the forecast period.
• By solution, the diagnostic shielding segment accounted for the dominating share in 2023.
• By solution, the radiation therapy shielding segment is observed to grow at a notable rate during the forecast period.
• By end user, the hospitals and diagnostic centers segment held the largest share of the market in 2023.
• By end user, the research institutes segment is expected to grow significantly during the forecast period.

U.S. Medical Radiation Shielding Market Size and Growth 2024 to 2034

The U.S. medical radiation shielding market size was exhibited at USD 400 million in 2023 and is projected to be worth around USD 840 million by 2034, poised to grow at a CAGR of 6.97% from 2024 to 2034.

North America held the dominant share of the medical radiation shielding market in 2023. The region is observed to witness prolific growth during the forecast period. The growth of the region is attributed to the sophisticated healthcare infrastructure, increasing use of advanced diagnostic imaging and therapeutic technologies, an increasing number of hospitals and diagnostic centers, rising awareness regarding the benefit offered by medical radiation shielding solutions, and the rising prevalence of cancer have significantly increased the need for radiation therapy in the region.

The rising focus on R&D activities in radiation shielding materials, designs, and adoption of improved technologies is anticipated to boost the demand for more efficient solutions that are customized to the region’s healthcare requirements.  Among all the countries, the United States is the major contributor to the market. The country has a robust network of clinics, hospitals, imaging centers, and research institutions that spurs the demand for radiation-shielding products to ensure both patient and employee safety.

Additionally, a rise in product approvals and rapid advancement in developing novel technologies for radiation protection is expected to accelerate the market's growth in the region. Furthermore, the region's robust focus on employee safety and regulatory compliance has increased the demand for innovative shielding solutions to mitigate radiation exposure during procedures. Thus, such factors are anticipated to propel the market’s growth in the region.

• According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in the United States, with 1 person dying every 33 seconds from cardiovascular disease. Nearly 695,000 people in the United States died from heart disease in 2021, that's 1 in every 5 deaths. It is estimated that 805,000 people suffer from heart attacks in the United States every year.
• According to the Commonwealth Fund report published in January 2023, the United States spends roughly 18 percent of GDP on health care. The U.S. spends 3 to 4 times more on health care than South Korea, New Zealand, and Japan.
• In April 2022, Radiaction Medical Ltd., an innovative medical device company focused on radiation protection in the interventional cardiology and electrophysiology sectors, announced FDA 510(K) clearance for the marketing of its Shield System in the US.

National Institutes of Health’s Recent Updates on Cancer Cases

• In 2024, an estimated 2,001,140 new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in the United States and 611,720 people will die from the disease.
• In 2024, an estimated 14,910 children and adolescents ages 0 to 19 will be diagnosed with cancer and 1,590 will die of the disease.
• As of January 2022, there were an estimated 18.1 million cancer survivors in the United States. The number of cancer survivors is projected to increase to 22.5 million by 2032.
• The estimated national expenditures for cancer care in the United States in 2020 were USD 208.9 billion. In the coming years, the costs are likely to increase as more people will suffer from the disease. Costs are also likely to increase as new, and often more expensive, treatments are adopted as standards of care.

Asia Pacific is observed to expand at a rapid pace during the forecast period in the medical radiation shielding market, owing to the rising healthcare expenditure, increasing demand for non-toxic and lead-free shielding materials, increasing number of imaging diagnostic systems, and increasing incidence of chronic diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease. Additionally, stringent government regulations for ensuring safety in medical facilities and several initiatives to modernize healthcare facilities led to the increasing adoption of efficient radiation protection solutions in the region.

Governments in developing nations such as India and China have been heavily investing in healthcare infrastructure and promoting the use of radiation-based therapies, fueling the demand for medical radiation shielding solutions. Therefore, these factors are expected to accelerate the adoption of medical radiation shielding systems to ensure safety during radiation therapy treatments in the Asia Pacific region.

• Cancer is one of the leading chronic. According to NIH, the estimated number of incident cases of cancer in India for the year 2022 was found to be 14,61,427 with a crude incidence rate of 100.4 per 100,000 individuals. In India, 1 in 9 people are likely to develop cancer in their lifetime. Lung and breast cancers were the leading sites of cancer in males and females, respectively.
• Lung cancer ranked highest among males, while breast cancer held the top spot for females. The projected cancer burden in India is expected to rise from 26.7 million DALYs (adjusted mortality to incidence) in 2021 to 29.8 million in 2025, with the highest burden in the north and northeast regions.

Market Overview

Medical radiation shielding safeguards healthcare providers and patients from harmful ionizing radiation in several medical facilities such as X-rays, nuclear medicine, computed tomography (CT), and radiotherapy for treating cancer patients. Radiation shielding acts as a barrier between the area or person that needs to be protected and a radiation source. The radiation shielding assists in restricting radiation exposure. The use of medical radiation shielding solutions is considered important in medical facilities during radiation treatment to get protection from unnecessary exposure to harmful radiation. Medical radiation shielding is extensively used in several applications in the healthcare industry, including hospitals, diagnostic imaging centers, radiation treatment clinics, and others.

How AI is Integrated in Medical Radiation Devices?

Artificial intelligence has transformed several aspects of the medical and biotechnology fields. AI is also revolutionizing radiation protection and has the potential to change the way we approach safety in nuclear energy, telecommunications alongside healthcare. Artificial intelligence enhances medical radiation shielding by enabling real-time monitoring, triggering automated response systems in case of an adverse event, and offering predictive analysis for preventative maintenance. AI-based algorithms can detect changes in radiation levels, and provide timely alerts to mitigate exposure risk.

AI is also being used to optimize radiation shielding technology designs, enhance radiation therapy in the medical field, and develop more effective radiation protection protocols that enhance both patient and clinician safety. It also has applications in optimizing radiation therapy delivery for cancer patients, leading to improved treatment outcomes and reduced side effects.

• In June 2024, researchers at Lausanne University Hospital, Switzerland found that ChatGPT’s answers about radiology were comparable to those posted on radiology institutional websites. Implementing ChatGPT has the potential to provide patients with clear and accessible information about radiation protection.

Medical Radiation Shielding Market Growth Factors

• Innovations in imaging technologies such as CT scans, MRIs, and X-rays have increased the use of radiological procedures, necessitating advanced shielding solutions to protect healthcare workers and patients from harmful radiation exposure.
• The rapid growth of healthcare infrastructure, particularly in emerging economies, is boosting the demand for radiation shielding products. New hospitals, diagnostic centers, and clinics are being equipped with modern radiation shielding to ensure safety.
• The global aging population is leading to a higher incidence of chronic diseases that require frequent diagnostic imaging and radiation therapy. This demographic trend is contributing to the demand for radiation shielding in medical settings.

Market Scope

Market Dynamics

Driver

Increasing prevalence of cancer

The rising burden of cancer across the globe is expected to boost the growth of the medical radiation shielding market during the forecast period. Radiotherapy is a common treatment conducted by healthcare providers using ionizing radiation to restrict or eliminate the growth of cancerous cells in patients. Medical radiation includes exposure to radiation to healthcare professionals and patients due to radiography systems including X-rays, nuclear imaging, MRI, and others.

Medical radiation shielding assists in protecting radiation workers and patients from exposure to harmful radiation. Without shielding, the exposure of high levels of radiation outside regulated exposure limits can potentially lead to adverse health effects. Thus, the surge in cancer cases increases the demand for effective radiation shielding which is expected to fuel the market expansion in the coming years.

There were around 20 million new cases of cancer and approximately 9.7 million deaths in 2022. It is reported that about one in five people will develop cancer during970,000 their lifetime.

Over 35 million new cancer cases are predicted in 2050, a 77% increase from the estimated 20 million cases in 2022. The rapidly growing global cancer burden reflects both population aging and growth, as well as changes to people’s exposure to risk factors, several of which are associated with socioeconomic development. Tobacco, alcohol, and obesity are key factors behind the increasing incidence of cancer, with air pollution still a key driver of environmental risk factors.

Restraint

High cost

The high cost associated with the shielding materials in medical radiation is anticipated to projected to hamper the market's growth. High initial investment is required for effective medical radiation shielding solutions due to the high cost of advanced materials and equipment.  In addition, the reluctance of healthcare institutions to adopt medical radiation shielding due to budget constraints may restrict the expansion of the global medical radiation shielding market.

Opportunity

Stringent government regulations

The stringent government regulations are projected to offer lucrative opportunities to the medical radiation shielding market during the forecast period. Several Governments and healthcare regulatory agencies such as FDA (Food and Drug Administration), Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations (IR(ME)R), and others around the world have imposed stringent regulations and safety standards for radiation protection in medical facilities. These regulations mandate adequate shielding measures to mitigate radiation exposure to protect healthcare professionals and patients from the negative effects of radiation exposure during diagnostic and treatment procedures. Therefore, compliance with these regulations has significantly increased the adoption of effective radiation shielding solutions to ensure that medical facilities meet the required safety standards.

Product Type Insights

The X-ray shields segment accounted for the dominating share in the global medical radiation shielding market in 2023 owing to the rapid expansion of the healthcare industry. In medical diagnosis and treatment, X-ray rooms play an important role. The rising use of X-rays in hospitals and diagnostic centers is likely to propel the need for effective medical radiation shielding systems to enhance the safety of patients and healthcare personnel in X-ray rooms.

The MRI shields segment is observed to be the fastest growing in the medical radiation shielding market during the forecast period, owing to the rising demand for advanced MRI technologies in healthcare facilities around the world. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) shielding products play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of patients and medical professionals, better image quality, and the effective functioning of MRI equipment. Moreover, stringent adherence to safety standards and regulatory requirements is likely to boost the rapid advancements in MRI shielding. Thus, fueling the rapid expansion of the segment in the coming years.

Solution Insights

The diagnostic shielding segment accounted for the dominating share in the medical radiation shielding market in 2023. The growth of the segment is majorly attributed to the rising prevalence of chronic diseases coupled with increasing awareness of early diagnosis and treatment which is anticipated to boost the diagnosis rate and increase the usage of diagnostic radiation shields. The diagnostic imaging systems including x-rays, mammography, fluoroscopy, computed tomography, and others are extensively used for accurate diagnosis, early detection, and monitoring of several health conditions. Thereby, driving the growth of the segment.

The radiation therapy shielding segment is expected to witness a significant share during the forecast period. The segment’s growth is majorly driven by the rising cases of cancer and rapid improvements in radiation therapy methods. Radiation therapy is gaining immense popularity for the treatment of cancer. Radiation therapy is used by specialists to kill cancerous cells in the cancer patient body by exposing them to ionizing radiation including gamma rays, X-rays, and high-energy electrons.

Radiation is crucial for patients who receive cancer treatment but harmful for the machine operators, medical personnel, or staff members. Frequent radiation exposure may lead to several side effects on health. Therefore, these factors increase the adoption of medical radiation shielding products and drive the segment’s growth.

• In February 2022, Radiaction Medical Ltd., an innovative medical device company focused on radiation protection in the interventional cardiology and electrophysiology sectors, collaborated with the Interventional Cardiology unit of Mazowiecki Hospital in Ostroleka, Poland, and TMS SP Z.O.O. The hospital has received the first installed system in the EU to protect interventional cardiologists and medical staff from the devastating effects of X-ray radiation exposure through the company’s ground-breaking fully automated shielding technology.

End User Insights

The hospitals and diagnostic centers segment held the largest share of the medical radiation shielding market in 2023, this segment is expected to sustain the position throughout the forecast period. The growth of the segment is driven by the rising importance of the safety of healthcare providers, hospital management, and patients. Hospitals and diagnostic centers carry out a wide range of medical services that use radiation-based procedures for cancer treatment and diagnostic imaging (X-rays, CT, and MRI).

Hospitals and diagnostic centers are highly investing in advanced healthcare infrastructure and expanding their imaging and treatment capabilities. Thus, the rising cases of cancer diseases globally increase the need for diagnostic centers and hospitals which further creates a necessity for medical radiation shielding systems.

On the other hand, the research institutes segment is expected to grow significantly in the medical radiation shielding market during the forecast period. Medical radiation shielding is widely used by healthcare professionals in research institutes to reduce unnecessary radiation exposure and minimize the harmful effects of ionizing radiation while testing new medicines, technologies, and procedures that have the potential to benefit human health. Research institutes adhere to stringent rules regarding the use of radiation shielding to ensure safety. Thereby, boosting the segment’s growth.

Medical Radiation Shielding Market Companies

• A&L Shielding
• Amray Medical
• ESCO Technologies Inc
• ETS-Lindgren
• Gaven Industries Inc.
• MAVIG GmbH
• Global Partners in Shielding Inc.
• Marshield
• Nelco Inc.
• Radiation Protection Products Inc.
• Ray-Bar Engineering Corp.
• Veritas Medical Solutions LLC

Recent Developments

• In April 2024, BIOTRONIK announced a multinational distribution partnership with Texray, the pioneering developer of a groundbreaking radiation protection textile. In this partnership, BIOTRONIK will distribute Texray's head and neck protectors starting in selected European and Middle Eastern countries. Both partners aim to raise awareness about the critical importance of radiation protection for healthcare professionals, who serve in environments where radiation exposure is an inherent occupational risk.
• In March 2022, Rampart IC, a medical device company specializing in radiation shielding and orthopedic protection signed an exclusive distribution agreement with Japan Lifeline (JLL), securing distribution to the Japanese market.  JLL is a full-service manufacturer and distributor of medical devices in Japan.  Japan Lifeline strives to support medical professionals so that they can provide high-quality medical care to their patients with confidence.

Segments Covered in the Report

By Product Type

• X-ray Shields
  • Lead Sheets and Plates
  • Lead Bricks
  • Lead Curtains
  • Lead Aprons
• MRI Shields
  • RF Shielding Systems
  • Magnetic Shielding Systems
• Gamma Shields
  • Gamma Camera Shields
  • Positron Emission Tomography Shields
• Neutron Shields
  • Neutron Absorbers
  • Neutron Reflectors

By Solution

• Radiation Therapy Shielding
• Diagnostic Shielding

By End User

• Hospitals and Diagnostic Centers
• Research Institutes
• Other End Users

By Geography

• North America
• Asia Pacific
• Europe
• Latin America
• Middle East & Africa