CRC INTRO RAD PROT PDF

Preface

An Introduction to Radiation Protection is a comprehensive account of radiation hazards and their control. The book is intended to meet the requirements of a wide range of readers who are involved, either directly or indirectly, with ionizing radiation, including nuclear plant designers and operators, medical practitioners and technicians, dentists, and research workers, In particular, we believe that the work is suitable for the health physics surveyors and technicians who are concerned with the day-to-day control of radiation hazards in nuclear power stations, research establishments, hospitals and in industry. In the UK, the accepted standards and curricula for formal training and qualification in radiation protection are included at Level 2 in the system of National and Scottish Vocational Qualifications (N/SVQ) and the early chapters dealing with the scientific background and the general principles of radiation protection are aimed at this level. The later chapters dealing with particular aspects of the subject are more detailed so that, for example, health physics surveyors in a nuclear power station or technicians in a hospital can get a deeper understanding of the problems in their own areas. Experience with previous editions has shown that, as a result of this structure, the book is also widely used for training at the more advanced N/SVQ Levels 3 and 4, and in many post-graduate courses.

In the Chapter on legislation and regulations relating to radiation protection, while we have concentrated mainly on the requirements in the UK, we have also included brief summaries of the requirements in a number of other countries. Otherwise the principles and practice set out in the book are applicable internationally. Although SI units are used throughout, a table of conversion factors is provided for those still using ‘old' units.

Every attempt has been made to avoid detailed mathematical treatment but it has been necessary, in some areas, to use some simple mathematics. This includes squares, square roots, exponentials, logarithms and the plotting of graphs on logarithmic scales. Where a mathematical treatment is used we have tried to present it in such a way that, if the mathematics is not fully understood, it does not preclude an understanding of the chapter in general.

As far as possible each chapter is self-contained so that the reader can find all the information on a particular aspect without having to search through several chapters. The early chapters deal with basic physical principles, the nature of the hazard arising from the interaction of ionizing radiations with biological systems and the levels of radiation which are regarded as acceptable. Later chapters deal with the methods of measurement and control which are applied to attain these levels. In the second half of the book there are individual chapters on the more specialized topics of radiation protection in the nuclear industry, radioactive waste and the decommissioning of radioactive facilities, radiation protection in the non-nuclear industry, radiation protection in medicine a radiological emergencies. There are also Chapters on legislation, risk assessment and on the organization of radiation protection services. Each chapter is followed by a summary in note form, in which the key points are reiterated. In addition, revision questions, requiring both descriptive and numerical answers, are provided for the majority of chapters.

Although we have benefited from many helpful and constructive suggestions during the preparation of this and earlier editions, the opinions and conclusions expressed in the book are those of the authors.