NCRP statement No. 13 "NCRP recommendations for ending routine gonadal shielding during abdominal and pelvic radiography" and its accompanying documents. Underpinnings and recent developments

In January 2021, the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP) issued a statement along with its accompanying documents, recommending that gonadal shielding should not be used routinely during abdominal and pelvic radiography, and that federal, state, and local regulations and guidance should be revised to remove any actual or implied requirement for routine gonadal shielding. Given its direct relevance to Japan, Japan Health Physics Society established a working group (WG) in March 2021 to translate it into Japanese, make Japanese translation publicly available, and publish a review article. In June 2021, the WG published Japanese translation in this journal. While preparing translation, the WG recognized the need of supplementary explanations for several aspects to help better understand NCRP Statement No. 13. The first aspect is a series of discussions toward a consensus formation made in various relevant US associations and organizations, leading to a statement. The second is underlying science for heritable genetic effects, shielding, and imaging. The third is exemplification of concrete cases for more practicality. This review article therefore aims to address these aspects. (author)