If the gonads are properly shielded with 0.5m lead equivalent, approximately what % of the incident primary beam radiation dose can the gonads still receive from internal scatter?

When gonads are shielded with 0.5 mm lead equivalent material, a significant reduction in the dose from the primary beam occurs. However, it's important to note that internal scatter radiation can still contribute to the dose received by the gonads even when they are shielded.

Research and guidelines suggest that with proper shielding, approximately 5% of the incident primary beam radiation dose can still reach the gonads due to scatter. This is due to the fact that while the primary beam is significantly attenuated by the lead shield, scattered photons can still exist and interact with the gonadal tissue. Thus, the choice that states approximately 5% is a reasonable estimate for the dose the gonads may still receive despite adequate shielding.

Understanding this helps in assessing the effectiveness of shielding and the importance of minimizing radiation exposure overall, especially to sensitive tissues like the gonads.