Health Physics
The Science of Radiation Protection
Radiation
• What do you think of when you hear the terms:
• • • • Radiation Atomic Radioactivity Nuclear
Brief History of Radiation Protection
Discovery of X Rays
Wilhelm Roentgen discovered x rays in November 1895 and announced his discovery on January 5, 1896.
Scientists had been making x rays without knowing it for years. Medical uses of x rays began almost immediately thereafter. Diagnostic x-ray images were taken within 2 weeks. Radiation therapy for cancer performed within 6 weeks.
Bizarre claims were made
• An x-ray image of a bone projected onto the brain of a dog would make the dog salivate; • X-ray baths supposedly cured blindness and criminality; • Beauty parlors used x rays to remove unwanted hair; • Leaded undergarments were sold to protect the modesty of girls.
Discovery of Radioactivity
• While all of the excitement over x rays was going on, Henri Becquerel discovered radioactivity in March 1896. Unlike x rays, radioactivity did not interest the public at first because it was not very plentiful. • By 1903, Radium was commercially available
• Cancer treatments were performed by August 1903 (Alexander Graham Bell first proposed this.) • Watch dials were painted with radium. • Public’s fascination with radioactivity began.
Bizarre uses of radioactive material
• Drinking radium contaminated water was considered healthy. • Liquid Sunshine (a drink which glowed when mixed with radium) became popular. • Radium bearing medicines were patented. • A farmer advocated the addition of radium to chicken feed to produce hard boiled eggs.
Radioactive toothpaste
If radioactivity is good for one end, it must be good at the other end, too. A box of radium suppositories.
Radiation injuries occurred
• The first reported injury (eye irritation) was published on March 5, 1896. • Skin burns, dermatitis, and alopecia were reported as early as April, 1896. • The first report of radiation sickness occurred in November, 1896. Obviously there was a need for radiation protection.
Radiation burn caused by x rays used to remove unwanted hair.
Doctors Tested X Ray Machines with Own Hands
Fluoroscope
X-ray tube
Radiographic plate
Today’s uses of Radiation
The properties of radiation make it useful for a variety of applications
Industrial Uses
Sterilization
Nuclear Power
Industrial Radiography
Well Logging
• Well Logging
Construction
Gauges
Security
Medical Uses
Cancer Treatment - HDR
Linear Accelerator
Cancer of Eye
Prostate Cancer
Diagnostic Imaging
Radiographs
Fluoroscopy
Mammography
Nuclear Medicine
Biomedical Research
• DNA Sequencing • X-ray Diffraction
Benefits and Risks
• It should be noted that there are beneficial uses of radiation, from treating cancer to generating electricity, BUT it can be harmful if used in an unsafe way, exposing people to the potential harmful effects of radiation. For this reason both the states and federal government regulate the many uses of radiation.
Health Physics
• The profession devoted to protecting people and their environment from potential radiation hazards, while making beneficial uses of radiation and radioactivity possible.
Health Physicists
• Scientists who control the beneficial uses of ionizing radiation while protecting workers and the public from potential hazards.
Health Physics many disciplines, include:
• • • • • • • • • • • • • physics biology biophysics engineering (nuclear, civil, mechanical, or electrical) chemistry genetics ecology environmental sciences metallurgy medicine physiology toxicology statistics
Fields for Health Physicists
• • • • • • • • Research Industry Power Reactors Education Environmental protection National defense Government regulatory agencies Medicine
Academic Programs
A partial list of academic programs in Health Physics:
Bloomsburg University University of Cincinnati Clemson University University of Florida Idaho State University University of Nevada – Los Vegas Oregon State University Purdue University University of Mass.-Lowell University of Michigan University of Tennessee Texas A&M University Uniformed Services Vanderbilt University Thomas Edison BS MS MS MS MS MS MS MS MS MS MS MS MS MS PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD
AA
BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS
AA
BS
Professional Certification
You may seek certification at either of two educational and experience levels: • For the professional health physicist, certification may be obtained from the American Board of Health Physics (ABHP) • For health physics technicians, registration may be obtained from the National Registry of Radiation Protection Technologists (NRRPT).
My Job
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Specifics?
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How did I get here?
• Where did your degree come from • What sort of certification or registration do you have
There are worse jobs!
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Yuck!
Salaries
Educational Level Associate Degree B.S. Health Physics M.S. Health Physics Ph.D. Health Physics M.S. Nuclear Eng. Ph.D. Nuclear Eng. Average 78,125 85,694 92,399 111,838 92,666 104,449 Median 68,750 83,750 93,750 101,250 91,250 93,750 Minimum 51,250 43,750 41,250 46,250 41,250 46,250 Maximum 116,250 171,250 185,000 330,000 133,750 178,144