Contemporary Health Physics

Contemporary Health Physics : Problems and Solutions

by Joseph John Bevelacqua

Contemporary Health Physics offers a balanced presentation of all important concepts, calculations, and techniques essential to a full working knowledge of radiation exposure assessments. Not another dry presentation of the basic facts, calculations, and routines, it is specifically designed to help readers to learn, think, and respond like professionals in the field. Featuring a unique, real-world orientation and hundreds of worked examples presented within the context of various scenarios, it prepares readers for the rigors of performing quick, accurate radiation assessments in virtually any routine or emergency situation.

Features more than 375 worked examples developed within the context of scenarios covering the full gamut of real-world challenges

• The only book covering the entire radiation protection field, including the medical, university, reactor, fuel cycle, environmental, and accelerator areas
• Explores key topics in radiation basics, external and internal dosimetry, the biological effects of ionizing radiation, and more
• Written by a former chairman of the American Board of Health Physics Comprehensive Panel of Examiners, it is indispensable to students preparing for the ABHP Comprehensive Exam

Three Mile Island and Chernobyl, the cleanup of USDOE facilities, the expanded use of nuclear medicine, mounting public anxiety over radon exposure...these are a few of the catalysts driving today's growing demand for radiation protection professionals. In an effort to meet that demand, nearly fifty colleges and universities in the US currently offer health physics programs, and more are planned for the near future. And while a number of fine academic texts have appeared in recent years, surprisingly, until now, none have been specifically designed to train budding health physicists to think and respond like professionals.

Contemporary Health Physics does that and much more. Written by a former chairman of the American Board of Health Physics Comprehensive Panel of Examiners with more than twenty years of professional and academic experience in the health physics field, it offers a uniquely balanced presentation of all theoretical and practical issues essential to a full working knowledge of radiation exposure assessments. The only book covering the entire radiation protection field, it includes detailed coverage of the medical, university, reactor, fuel cycle, environmental, and accelerator areas, and explores key topics in radiation basics, external and internal dosimetry, the biological effects of ionizing radiation, and more.

But that is only half the story. Contemporary Health Physics offers far more than the essential facts, figures, and routines found in most texts and references. With the help of more than 375 worked examples developed within the context of various scenarios covering the full gamut of real-world challenges, it quickly instills in readers the professional acumen and practical skills they need to perform accurate radiation assessments in virtually any routine or emergency situation. An excellent resource for upper-level students and anyone preparing to take the American Board of Health Physics Comprehensive Examination, Contemporary Health Physics is also a valuable resource for professionals who would like to expand their scope and sharpen their skills.