# data[].attributes.body
The evolution of shielding effectiveness and how it relates to scatter radiation has led us to hypothesize, does gonadal and thyroid shielding while completing radiographic examinations create additional scatter radiation and increased skin dose to the unexposed areas of the patient while completing a radiologic examination?

# data[].attributes.body
Gonadal shielding has become a common practice when using radiation until most recently. The National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP) released a statement in 2021 with their support of the discontinuation of gonadal shielding while completing routine radiographic examinations of the abdominal and pelvic regions. Technologic improvements of x-ray equipment have decreased the absorbed dose delivered to patients significantly, yet the clinical practice of shielding has not evolved along with it. The National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP) found that a substantial amount of dose given to the gonadal ovaries is in fact caused by scatter radiation. Research shows that the systematic practice of shielding common areas does not provide considerable patient dose protection that many believed that it did. In fact, the consensus is that due to scatter, the dose was elevated, and therefore had detrimental effects. Shielding is becoming a demonstrated variable which has the potential to causes a higher level of scatter radiation and increased patient dose. As technologist and medical staff, it is essential to consider alternatives beyond discontinuation of overall shielding.

# data[].attributes.body
- Incorrect Placement of Shielding
- Technologist Controlled Factors
- Radiation Scatter
- Technological Advancements Effecting Scatter Radiation, Shielding, and Patient Dose

# data[].attributes.body
- Some limitations to the results that could have been changed to obtain further comparisons would be using various thicknesses of lead aprons or using two x-ray rooms with different brands of x-ray equipment. These changes could have been completed while using the same phantoms and keeping all other variables constant. Additionally, this experiment could have been broadened to include other regions of the body such the pelvic and abdominal anatomy to measure the possibility of scattering radiation from shielding.

- The presence or absence of the shield did not appear to affect the readings acquired for this research experiment. The team hypothesized that the presence of lead shielding would increase the occurrence of scatter radiation and increase the dosimeter readings. As the results indicate, there is essentially no quantifiable reason to drape a patient with lead shielding for radiologic exams. Our research data also suggests that if a patient requests the use of lead shielding, it is acceptable to comply as there is no additional scatter radiation risk to the patient.