Fundamental And Applied Aspects Of Nonionizing Radiation

During the last 30 years, there has been a remarkable devel opment and increase in the number of processes and devices that utilize or emit non-ionizing radiant energies such as micro waves, a form of electromagnetic wave energy and ultrasound representative of mechanical vibration. These energies are used in all sectors of our society for military, industrial, telecommunications, medical, and consumer applications. More recently, the use of ultrasound in biology and medicine has been considerably expanded. These increases in sources of non ionizing radiant energy have resulted in growing interest on the part of government regulatory agencies, industrial and mili tary physicians, research workers, clinicians, and even environ mentalists. Although there is information on biologic effects and potential hazards to man from exposure to microwaves or ultrasound, considerable confusion and misinformation has permeated not only the public press but also some scientific and technical publications. Interest in the biologic effects of high frequency currents developed in the beginning of the present century. This was followed by the introduction of "u1trashortwave" therapy. During the latter part of World War II, the U. S. military services became interested in the possible hazards to personnel working around microwave sources, and the Office of Naval Research of the U. S. Navy began to sponsor research on the biologic effects of microwaves in 1948. In 1956, the U. S.

Does radiation medicine need more regulation or simply better-coordinated regulation? This book addresses this and other questions of critical importance to public health and safety. The issues involved are high on the nation's agenda: the impact of radiation on public safety, the balance between federal and state authority, and the cost-benefit ratio of regulation. Although incidents of misadministration are rare, a case in Pennsylvania resulting in the death of a patient and the inadvertent exposure of others to a high dose of radiation drew attention to issues concerning the regulation of ionizing radiation in medicine and the need to examine current regulatory practices. Written at the request from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), Radiation in Medicine reviews the regulation of ionizing radiation in medicine, focusing on the NRC's Medical Use Program, which governs the use of reactor-generated byproduct materials. The committee recommends immediate action on enforcement and provides longer term proposals for reform of the regulatory system. The volume covers Sources of radiation and their use in medicine. Levels of risk to patients, workers, and the public. Current roles of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, other federal agencies, and states. Criticisms from the regulated community. The committee explores alternative regulatory structures for radiation medicine and explains the rationale for the option it recommends in this volume. Based on extensive research, input from the regulated community, and the collaborative efforts of experts from a range of disciplines, Radiation in Medicine will be an important resource for federal and state policymakers and regulators, health professionals involved in radiation treatment, developers and producers of radiation equipment, insurance providers, and concerned laypersons.

During the last 35 years, there has been considerable develop ment and increase in the number of devices that emit nonionizing radiant energies. These energies such as radiofrequency including microwaves are used in all sectors of our society for military, industrial. telecommunications, medical, and consumer applications. This increase in sources of nonionizing radiant energies has resulted in growing interest on the part of government regulatory agencies, industrial and military physicians, research workers, clinicians, and environmentalists. Although there is information on biologic effects and potential hazards to man from exposure to microwave/radiofrequency energies, considerable confusion and misinformation has permeated not only the public press but also some scientific and technical publications. Because of the complexity of the interactions of nonionizing radiation in biological systems, an inter-disciplinary approach is necessary to assess and elucidate the problems that evolve as this field advances and as the use of these energies expands. It is important to maintain a proper perspective and assess realistically the biomedical effects of these radiant energies so that the worker or general public will not be unduly exposed nor will research, development and beneficial utilization of these energies be hampered or restricted by an undue concern for effects which may be nonexis tent or minimal in comparison to other environmental hazards.

Monthly. Bibliography of MEDLARS-based journal articles that describe perturbations in the ecosystems important to health. For the most part, genetic and clinical literature not included. Index medicus format; author, subject sections.