Structural Shielding Design for Medical X-ray Imaging Facilities


Book Description

Report No. 147 (2004) presents recommendations and technical information related to the design and installation of structural shielding for facilities that use x rays for medical imaging. The purpose of structural shielding is to limit radiation exposure to employees and members of the public. The information supersedes the recommendations that address such facilities in NCRP Report No. 49, Structural Shielding Design and Evaluation for Medical Use of X Rays and Gamma Rays of Energies Up to 10 MeV, which was issued in September 1976. NCRP Report No. 147 includes a discussion of the various factors to be considered in the selection of appropriate shielding materials and in the calculation of barrier thicknesses. The Report presents the fundamentals of radiation shielding, discusses shielding design goals for controlled and uncontrolled areas in or near x-ray imaging facilities and defines the relationship of these goals to the NCRP effective dose limits for radiation workers and members of the public. The Report includes a detailed discussion of the recommended shielding design methodology for x-ray imaging facilities and provides an extensive collection of shielding data and sample shielding calculations for various types of x-ray imaging facilities. The Report is mainly intended for those individuals who specialize in radiation protection. However, it will also be of interest to architects, hospital administrators and related professionals concerned with the planning of new facilities that use x rays for medical imaging.




Shielding Techniques for Radiation Oncology Facilities


Book Description

A textbook for a senior or graduate course in medical or health physics. Students are assumed to be familiar with the radiation- producing devices used in radiation oncology. The second volume corrects some errors detected in the 1998 first, and adds discussions of intensity modulated radiation therapy, CT room design, the design of direct shielded doors, and other topics. Annotation copyrighted by Book News Inc., Portland, OR.




Radiotherapy Facilities


Book Description

This publication provides guidelines on how to plan a radiotherapy facility in terms of the strategic master planning process including the legal, technical and infrastructure requirements. It outlines a risk assessment methodology and a typical project work plan, and describes the professional expertise required for the implementation of such a project. Generic templates for a block design are suggested, which include possibilities for future expansion. These templates can be overlaid onto the designated site such that the most efficient workflow between the main functional areas can be ensured. A sample checklist is attached to act as a guideline for project management and to indicate the critical stages in the process where technical expert assistance may be needed. The publication is aimed at professionals and administrators involved in infrastructure development, planning and facility management, as well as engineers, building contractors and radiotherapy professionals.




Setting Up a Radiotherapy Programme


Book Description

This publication provides guidance for designing and implementing radiotherapy programmes, taking into account clinical, medical physics, radiation protection and safety aspects. It reflects current requirements for radiotherapy infrastructure in settings with limited resources. It will be of use to professionals involved in the development, implementation and management of radiotherapy programmes




Health Effects of Exposure to Low Levels of Ionizing Radiation


Book Description

This book reevaluates the health risks of ionizing radiation in light of data that have become available since the 1980 report on this subject was published. The data include new, much more reliable dose estimates for the A-bomb survivors, the results of an additional 14 years of follow-up of the survivors for cancer mortality, recent results of follow-up studies of persons irradiated for medical purposes, and results of relevant experiments with laboratory animals and cultured cells. It analyzes the data in terms of risk estimates for specific organs in relation to dose and time after exposure, and compares radiation effects between Japanese and Western populations.




Physics in Radiation Oncology Self-Assessment Guide


Book Description

This guide & companion to the Radiation Oncology Self-Assessment Guide is a comprehensive physics review for anyone in the field of radiation oncology looking to enhance their knowledge of medical physics. It covers in depth the principles of radiation physics as applied to radiation therapy along with their technical and clinical applications. To foster retention of key concepts and data, the resource utilizes a user-friendly ìflash cardî question and answer format with over 800 questions. The questions are supported by detailed answers and rationales along with reference citations for source information. The Guide is comprised of 14 chapters that lead the reader through the radiation oncology physics field, from basic physics to current practice and latest innovations. Aspects of basic physics covered include fundamentals, photon and particle interactions, and dose measurement. A section on current practice covers treatment planning, safety, regulations, quality assurance, and SBRT, SRS, TBI, IMRT, and IGRT techniques. A chapter unique to this volume is dedicated to those topics in diagnostic imaging most relevant to radiology, including MRI, ultrasound, fluoroscopy, mammography, PET, SPECT, and CT. New technologies such as VMAT, novel IGRT devices, proton therapy, and MRI-guided therapy are also incorporated. Focused and authoritative, this must-have review combines the expertise of clinical radiation oncology and radiation physics faculty from the Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Institute. Key Features: Includes more than 800 questions with detailed answers and rationales A one-stop guide for those studying the physics of radiation oncology including those wishing to reinforce their current knowledge of medical physics Delivered in a ìflash cardî format to facilitate recall of key concepts and data Presents a unique chapter on diagnostic imaging topics most relevant to radiation oncology Content provided by a vast array of contributors, including physicists, radiation oncology residents, dosimetrists, and physicians About the Editors: Andrew Godley, PhD, is Staff Physicist, Department of Radiation Oncology, Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland OH Ping Xia, PhD, is Head of Medical Physics and Professor of Molecular Medicine, Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH.




Generic Models for Use in Assessing the Impact of Discharges of Radioactive Substances to the Environment


Book Description

Describes an approach for assessing doses to members of the public as part of an environmental impact analysis of predictive radioactive discharges. This is achieved by using screening models which describe environmental processes in mathematical terms, producing a quantitative result.




Atoms, Radiation, and Radiation Protection


Book Description

Atoms, Radiation, and Radiation Protection Discover the keys to radiation protection in the fourth edition of this best-selling textbook A variety of atomic and sub-atomic processes, including alpha, beta, and gamma decay or electron ejection from inner atom shells, can produce ionizing radiation. This radiation can in turn produce environmental and biological effects both harmful – including DNA damage and other impacts of so-called ‘radiation sickness’ – and helpful, including radiation treatment for cancerous tumors. Understanding the processes that generate radiation and the steps which can be taken to mitigate or direct its effects is therefore critical in a wide range of industries and medical subfields. For decades, Atoms, Radiation, and Radiation Protection has served as the classic reference work on the subject of ionizing radiation and its safeguards. Beginning with a presentation of fundamental atomic structure and the physical mechanisms which produce radiation, the book also includes thorough discussion of how radiation can be detected and measured, as well as guide-lines for interpreting radiation statistics and detailed analysis of protective measures, both individual and environmental. Now updated by a new generation of leading scholars and researchers, Atoms, Radiation, and Radiation Protection will continue to serve global scientific and industrial research communities. Readers of the fourth edition of Atoms, Radiation, and Radiation Protection will also find: Detailed updates of existing material, including the latest recommendations of the ICRP and NCRP Treatment of current physiokinetic and dosimetric models All statistics now presented in SI units, making the book more globally accessible Atoms, Radiation, and Radiation Protection is a foundational guide for graduate students and researchers in health physics and nuclear physics, as well as related industries.




Reducing Environmental Cancer Risk


Book Description

Though overall cancer incidence and mortality have continued to decline in recent years, cancer continues to devastate the lives of far too many Americans. In 2009 alone, 1.5 million American men, women, and children were diagnosed with cancer, and 562,000 died from the disease. There is a growing body of evidence linking environmental exposures to cancer. The Pres. Cancer Panel dedicated its 2008¿2009 activities to examining the impact of environmental factors on cancer risk. The Panel considered industrial, occupational, and agricultural exposures as well as exposures related to medical practice, military activities, modern lifestyles, and natural sources. This report presents the Panel¿s recommend. to mitigate or eliminate these barriers. Illus.