What percentage does a 0.5 mm lead equivalent gonad shield reduce gonad dose by?

A 0.5 mm lead equivalent gonad shield is highly effective in reducing radiation exposure to the reproductive organs during imaging procedures. Specifically, this thickness of lead equivalent material is designed to absorb a significant portion of the incident radiation.

In practice, a 0.5 mm lead equivalent shield can reduce the dose to gonads by approximately 97%. This high percentage is due to the material's density and the effectiveness of lead in attenuating X-rays, significantly limiting the radiation that reaches the gonads. The use of such shields is crucial in patient safety protocols, especially for populations at higher risk of radiation effects, such as children and individuals of childbearing age.

Understanding the efficiency of these shields underscores their importance in radiation protection, achieving near-complete protection from unnecessary radiation exposure.