Abstract: Highly filled materials are disclosed. The material is formed from a composition of at least 4% by weight of a defined polar thermoplastic polymer, a plasticizer for the polymer and at least 90% by weight of an inorganic composition, including in elemental form. The compositions have a flexural modulus of less than 100 MPa. Preferably, the material provides attenuation against energy of greater than 0.1 keV that is equivalent to at least 0.1 mm of lead. The material may be used for containers, in apparel and other end-uses for protection against e.g. x-rays and gamma rays.

Abstract: An article for protection of gonadal areas, of a human body, against radiation, is disclosed. The article comprises (a) an elongated sheet of fabric material with a first end and a second end and having a width of 10-30 cm; (b) at least two complementary fastener means; and (c) a layer of flexible radiation protection material with a width of 10-30 cm and extending longitudinally from the second end towards the first end. One of the fastener means is located juxtaposed to the first end and the other is spaced apart from the first end, and the sheet of fabric is adapted to fold back on itself and be held in the folded position by the fastener means, thereby forming means to secure the article around the waist of a human body. The layer of radiation protective material has energy attenuation properties at least equivalent to 0.1 mm of lead at 100 keV, and is of a length such that when the fold is located at waist level on a human body the layer extends from above to below the gonadal area.