What material is best for shielding Sr-89 during handling?

The best material for shielding Strontium-89 (Sr-89) during handling is Plexiglass. Sr-89 is a beta-emitting radioisotope, and beta particles have specific interactions with different materials.

Plexiglass, being a plastic material, effectively absorbs beta radiation due to its specific density and atomic composition. This makes it effective at providing adequate shielding for beta radiation, which can be relatively low in terms of penetrating power compared to gamma radiation. Plexiglass allows for visibility of the handling process while still offering a protective barrier against the emission of beta particles.

Other materials such as lead are typically used for shielding gamma radiation, which is not the primary concern for Sr-89. Glass can be useful for certain types of shielding but is less effective than Plexiglass when it comes to beta particles. Aluminum also provides some shielding but may not be as effective in stopping beta radiation compared to the thicker layers of Plexiglass. Therefore, Plexiglass stands out as the ideal choice for safe handling of Sr-89.