FIGS. 17A-17-C is a series of cross-section views of three alternative embodiments of PCF-loaded shielding material 88, wherein FIG. 17A depicts a PCF-loaded shielding material 88 with a first concentration of PCF 89 dispersed within the material 91, FIG. 17B depicts a PCF-loaded shielding material 88 with a second concentration of PCF 89 (greater than the first concentration of PCF) dispersed within the material 91, and FIG. 17C depicts a PCF-loaded shielding material 88 with a third concentration of PCF 89 (greater than the second concentration of PCF) dispersed within the material 89. For the sake of brevity, the PCF-loaded shielding material 88 depicted in FIGS. 17A-17-C may comprise one of several different kinds of material 91 (the drawings are essentially the same for each type of material 91). For example, the PCF-loaded shielding material 88 may be a PCF-loaded polymer (such as PCF-toughened polymer coating 90), a PCF-loaded elastomer, a PCF-loaded adhesive, a PCF-loaded sealant, a PCF-loaded paint, a PCF-loaded mortar-based materials such as concrete, mortar, or stucco, or any combination of such materials 91. As a consequence, the type of PCF-loaded material 88 used may depend on the function(s) the PCF-loaded material 86 is to perform. A PCF-toughened polymer coating 90 might be used where foot traffic might damage a less robust form of shielding, or a PCF-loaded paint might be used to cover shielded wallpaper 22 or a door 20, for example.