Introduction to Health Physics, 5th Edition

A dynamic and comprehensive overview of the field of health physics

This trusted, one-of-a-kind guide delivers authoritative and succinctly written coverage of the entire field of health physics including the biological basis for radiation safety standards, radioactivity, nuclear reactors, radioactive waste, and non-ionizing radiation, as well as radiation dosimetry, radiation instrumentation, and principles of radiation protection.

This thorough overview of need-to-know topics, from a review of physical principles to a useful look at the interaction of radiation with matter, offers a problem-solving approach that will serve readers throughout their careers.

• More than 470 “Homework Problems” and 175+ “Example Problems”
• Essential background material on quantitative risk assessment for radiation exposure
• Unique Integration of industrial hygiene with radiation safety
• Authoritative radiation safety and environmental health coverage that supports the International Commission on Radiological Protection’s standards for specific populations – now including ICRP 130 recommendations
• High-yield appendices to expand comprehension of chapter material
• Essential coverage of non-ionizing radiation, lasers and microwaves, computer use in dose calculation, and dose limit recommendations
• NEW to this edition! Expanded information on tissue and radiation weighting factors, advances in detectors, and the Fukushima accident

Table of Contents

Chapter 1. In Troduction
Chapter 2. Review Of Physical Principles
Chapter 3. Atomic And Nuclear Structure
Chapter 4. Radiation Sources
Chapter 5. Interaction Of Radiation With Matter
Chapter 6. Radiation Dosimetry
Chapter 7. Biological Basis For Radiation Safety
Chapter 8. Radiation Safety Guides
Chapter 9. Health Physics Instrumentation
Chapter 10. External Radiation Safety
Chapter 11. Internal Radiation Safety
Chapter 12. Criticality
Chapter 13. Evaluation Of Radiation Safety Measures
Chapter 14. Nonionizing Radiation Safety
Appendix A Values of Some Useful Constants
Appendix B Table of the Elements
Appendix C The Reference Person Overall Specifications
Appendix D Specific Absorbed Fraction of Photon Energy
Appendix E Total Mass Attenuation Coefficient, μ/ρ, cm2/g
Appendix F Mass Energy Absorption Coefficient, μa/ρ, cm2/g
Appendix G Mass Stopping Power in Units of cm2/g for Monoenergetic Electrons