Radiation Source Use and Replacement

Radiation Source Use and Replacement
Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 232
Release: 2008-05-25
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 0309110149

In the United States there are several thousand devices containing high-activity radiation sources licensed for use in areas ranging from medical uses such as cancer therapy to safety uses such as testing of structures and industrial equipment. Those radiation sources are licensed by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and state agencies. Concerns have been raised about the safety and security of the radiation sources, particularly amid fears that they could be used to create dirty bombs, or radiological dispersal device (RDD). In response to a request from Congress, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission asked the National Research Council to conduct a study to review the uses of high-risk radiation sources and the feasibility of replacing them with lower risk alternatives. The study concludes that the U.S. government should consider factors such as potential economic consequences of misuse of the radiation sources into its assessments of risk. Although the committee found that replacements of most sources are possible, it is not economically feasible in some cases. The committee recommends that the U.S. government take steps to in the near term to replace radioactive cesium chloride radiation sources, a potential "dirty bomb" ingredient used in some medical and research equipment, with lower-risk alternatives. The committee further recommends that longer term efforts be undertaken to replace other sources. The book presents a number of options for making those replacements.

Radiation Detection Systems

Radiation Detection Systems
Author: Jan Iwanczyk
Publisher: CRC Press
Total Pages: 310
Release: 2021-11-04
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 1000462196

The advances in semiconductor detectors, scintillators, photodetectors such as silicon photomultipliers (SiPM), and readout electronics have experienced tremendous growth in recent years in terms of basic technologies and a variety of applications. The second edition of Radiation Detection Systems presents variety of radiation detection systems, giving readers a broad view of the state-of-the-art in the design of detectors, front-end electronics, and systems offering optimized choices of the detection tools for a particular application. The new edition has been divided into two volumes. This volume on Medical Imaging, Industrial Testing, and Security Applications presents specific applications of the detection systems in medical imaging, industrial testing, and security applications. These newely developed technologies play a vital role in the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of major human diseases. Featuring contributions from leading experts and pioneers in their respective fields, this book: Describes new advances in development of detection systems based on CdZnTe (CZT) and CdTe detectors utilizing a direct conversion of radiation to electric signals Reports a recent progress in technologies and performance of SiPM used for reading the light from scintillators Explores exciting new application opportunities created by development of the cutting-edge detection technologies in X-ray spectroscopy, computed tomography (CT), bone dosimetry, and nuclear medicine (PET, SPECT) Considers the future use of photon-counting detectors in clinical CT scanners providing K-edge imaging to reduce the amount of contrast agents and ultimately offering both an anatomical and a functional information Describes, uses of radiation detection systems in security applications such as luggage scanning, dirty bomb detection, and border control With its combined coverage of new materials and innovative new system approaches, as well as a succinct overview of recent developments, this book is an invaluable tool for any engineer, professional, or student working in electronics or an associated field. Readers can refer to the other volume, Sensor Materials, Systems, Technology, and Characterization Measurements, which puts emphasis on sensor materials, detector structures, front electronics technology, and their designs and system optimization for different applications.

Industrial Radiology

Industrial Radiology
Author: R. Halmshaw
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 317
Release: 2012-12-06
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 9401105510

Industrial radiography is a well-established non-destructive testing (NDT) method in which the basic principles were established many years ago. However, during 1993-95 the European Standards Organisa tion (CEN) commenced drafting many new standards on NDT including radiographic methods, and when completed these will replace national standards in all the EC member countries. In some cases these standards vary significantly from those in use in the UK at present. These CEN standards are accepted by majority, not unanimous voting, so they will become mandatory even in countries which vote against them. As most are likely to be legal by the time this second edition is published, they are described in the appropriate places in the text. The most important new technical development is the greater use of computers in radiology. In the first edition, computerized tomography was only briefly mentioned at the end of Chapter 11, as it was then largely a medical method with only a few equipments having found a place in industrial use. The method depends on a complex computer program and a large data store. Industrial equipments are now being built, although their spread into industry has been slow. Computer data storage is also being used for radiographic data. Small computers can now store all the data produced by scanning a radiographic film with a small light-spot, and various programs can be applied to these data.