Radiography (1996) 2, 165

BOOK REVIEW

TH E/LLEG E OF R A R A P H E R S

D. HUGHES, The Management of Protection against Ionising and Non-ionising Radiations, H. & H. Scientific Consultants Limited, Handbook No. 18, 1995, £15.00. ISBN 0-948237-27-9

The aim of this handbook is to give managers who have no technical or scientific background some relevant information regarding the framework used in radiation protection. To achieve this, the subject is broken down into four chapters, namely, radiation and its sources, biological effects, recommendations for protection and finally U.K. legislation. The presentation is clear, although the style a little dry--probably a consequence of the subject area.

Most of the scientific and technical concepts necessary for an understanding of the subject are explained clearly, if rather briefly, in the first two chapters. If a fuller understanding is required, then a medical physics textbook should be consulted. The section on recommendations for protection describes arrangements drawn up by various international commissions for the purpose of radiation protection. How these recommendations are enacted in U.K. legislation is then discussed in the final section. Included in this chapter is a helpful part by part summary of the Ionising Radiations Regulations. Finally, over 100 relevant references are presented in the bibliography.

In summary, this handbook should prove useful to managers who would like an understanding of radiation protection but are without any technical training in the subject.

The publication is available directly from: H. and H. Scientific Consultants Limited, P.O. Box MT27, Leeds LS17 8QP, U.K.

Nicholas Marshall Regional Medical Physics Department

Newcastle General Hospital. U.K.

1078-8174/96/020165+01 $12.00/0 © 1996 The College of Radiographers 165