Ann. occup. Hyg., Vol. 48, No. 1, pp. 85-86, 2004
© 2004 British Occupational Hygiene Society
Published by Oxford University Press
Book Review |
Radiation Protection—A Guide for Scientists, Regulators and Physicians, Fourth Edition by Jacob Shapiro, Harvard University Press, 2002. ISBN 0-674-00740-9. $69.95/£46.50 (hard cover)
Radiation Protection Adviser, Health and Safety Unit, The University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
Since the first edition was published in 1972, this well-known and much-valued text has undergone a number of revisions and has served as a highly respected manual on radiation protection. Originally directed at scientists and physicians, it now seeks to encompass regulators in its audience. The fourth edition is a comprehensive revision and update of the previous edition (1990), in particular SI units have replaced many of the old units; there are exceptions where these have been retained for reasons explained by the author. Texts on radiation protection for many years have typically focused on ionizing radiation with non-ionizing radiation being the poor relative; this edition partially addresses some of the bias by giving non-ionizing radiation a higher profile with one of the eight parts being wholly devoted to the subject. Many aspects of non-ionizing radiation in the public environment, workplace and medicine are covered. An area not covered is that of optical radiation, including lasers, which in itself is a broad topic and was wisely not included. The publisher’s description of the title, links to the contents and extracts of some reviews can be found at http://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog/SHARA4.html.
The size of the volume demonstrates the amount of information available covering radiation protection and its diversity. The number of pages has increased from 494, including index, to 663. The format has also changed, giving in most cases a margin of 7 cm—a bonus for those that wish to update links, text and annotate their own notes.
When dealing with the regulatory aspects, the text predominantly focuses on scientists, regulators and professionals within the United States and those countries which adopt US regulatory standards as their own. However, this is balanced with references to non-US national organizations and numerous international bodies (also referenced in the selected bibliography). Useful additions, reinforcing the international contributions, in the body of text would have been information on the WHO International EMF Project (http://www.who.int/peh-emf/en/), the publications of the International Labour Organization (http://www.ilo.org/public/english/protection/safework/publicat/iloshcat/rad-prot.htm), IAEA Rasanet information available on radiation and waste safety (http://www-rasanet.iaea.org/home.htm) and reference to IAEA guidance on the international safe transport of radioactive material.
The amount of work invested in this edition must have been considerable, and those who wish to have a textbook that covers the fundamental basics, principles, basis of regulation and corresponding public issues will not be disappointed. Its strengths are in the way the science is set out, the in-depth coverage of ionizing radiation and examples of calculations and methodologies that are of practical importance and value. In addition, at the end of the volume there are a number of appendices: one outlines various problems and provides answers, enabling those who wish to test themselves; and another details useful data on selected radionuclides.
In summary, this revised and updated edition will no doubt carry on being an important training and reference resource to a wide range of professionals, giving a balanced view and providing an insight into some of the challenges faced in radiation protection.
CiteULike 
Connotea 
Del.icio.us What's this?
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||