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.

Electron linear accelerators are being used throughout the world in increasing numbers in a variety of important applications. Foremost among these is their role in the treatment of cancer. Commercial uses include non-destructive testing by radiography, food preservation, product sterilization and radiation processing of materials such as plastics and adhesives. Scientific applications include investigations in radiation biology, radiation chemistry, nuclear and elementary particle physics and radiation research. This manual provides authoritative guidance in radiation protection for this important category of radiation sources.

The decay product of the medical isotope molybdenum-99 (Mo-99), technetium-99m (Tc-99m), and associated medical isotopes iodine-131 (I-131) and xenon-133 (Xe-133) are used worldwide for medical diagnostic imaging or therapy. The United States consumes about half of the world's supply of Mo-99, but there has been no domestic (i.e., U.S.-based) production of this isotope since the late 1980s. The United States imports Mo-99 for domestic use from Australia, Canada, Europe, and South Africa. Mo-99 and Tc-99m cannot be stockpiled for use because of their short half-lives. Consequently, they must be routinely produced and delivered to medical imaging centers. Almost all Mo-99 for medical use is produced by irradiating highly enriched uranium (HEU) targets in research reactors, several of which are over 50 years old and are approaching the end of their operating lives. Unanticipated and extended shutdowns of some of these old reactors have resulted in severe Mo-99 supply shortages in the United States and other countries. Some of these shortages have disrupted the delivery of medical care. Molybdenum-99 for Medical Imaging examines the production and utilization of Mo-99 and associated medical isotopes, and provides recommendations for medical use.

On 17 November 1992 a radiological accident occurred at an electron accelerator facility in Hanoi, Viet Nam. An individual entered the irradiation room without the operators' knowledge and unwittingly exposed his hands to the X ray beam. His hands were seriously injured and one hand had to be amputated. The report details the circumstances of the accident, its medical consequences and the governmental response.

"This report of the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP) is concerned with radiations produced by accelerators of charged particles having energies from 9.1 to 100 MeV. The material in this report includes recommendations concerning structural shielding and details of accelerator-facility design as they pertain to radiation protection. The scientific committee responsible for the preparation of this report was charged with preparing a guide to good practice in radiation protection for all types of particle accelerators, taking into full consideration their broad application in research, medicine, and industry. In carrying out this objective, the committee has endeavored to organize into a single report the recommendations and guidelines for the many accelerator designs, performance ratings, and applications, without resorting to over-generalization or undue conservatism. There is some overlap of this report with the coverage of other NCRP reports, but an attempt has been made to limit duplication of material except where it is justified for the sake of continuity, or because of the need to complement the coverage of the following existing NCRP reports, or to update their information and recommendations: NCRP Report Nos. 14 (1954a); 31 (1964b); 34 (1970a), which was superseded by NCRP Report No. 49 (1976); 38 (1971a)." --From the Preface, page iii.

Organized to serve as a ready reference, this book covers the design & principles of operation of microwave electron linear accelerators for the radiation treatment of cancer. Designed for use by persons without extensive knowledge & experience of accelerator technology, the book assumes a knowledge of elementary physics & mathematics & places its emphasis on how accelerators actually function & how they are used in cancer treatment. Coverage includes the history of development & application, general theory of acceleration, accelerator systems, radiation beam systems & associated equipment, performance characteristics, testing & use. The major modules of a representative medical accelerator are described, including principles of operation & how these models function collectively to produce electron & X-ray beams for radiotherapy.