500彩票网

Radiation is encountered in various environments and situations. There is natural radiation, which has existed since ancient times; artificial radiation and radioactive materials, which are used in the medical and industrial fields in pursuit of better human health and living environments; radioactive waste generated as a result of these activities; and the larger environment, which has been contaminated by radioactive materials that spread following the accident at TEPCO’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. In this situation, while we enjoy the convenience of X-rays in airport baggage screening and medical diagnoses in hospitals, we sometimes hear about radiation exposure and are concerned about its effects and risks. When we look back through history, since the discovery of X-rays by Dr. Röntgen in 1895, experts have spent a great deal of time thinking about how to reduce the risk of radiation exposure as much as possible, and have accumulated experience in responding, taking measures, and coming up with ideas. Social confusion caused by the effects of nuclear disasters such as Chernobyl (1986) and Fukushima (2011) on people and the environment has also had a significant impact on the history of these efforts, or the so-called Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle, and discussions by those involved are still ongoing.
 
This book focuses on safety management in the medical field, which is the largest industry when it comes to radiation applications. Dr. Röntgen’s prediction at the time was spot on, and the role of radiation in the medical field has remained significant. Even now, 130 years later, cutting-edge science and technology in this field are supported by radiation. Against this background, society needs many talented medical technicians, or so-called radiological technologists, who are well-versed in the field of radiation safety management. The government has included “radiation safety management” as a new subject in its regulations for the designation of relevant training centers and has introduced topics that go beyond the scope of so-called safety management in medical settings, including the basics and principles of radiation protection, accident countermeasures and responses in the event of an incident, and problem-solving skills. We have carefully compiled a textbook to meet this purpose, and it is written in a way that is easy to understand, so that anyone can understand the “history and current situation of radiation protection and complete management in radiation facilities” using medical facilities as examples. As a specialist in radiation protection, I wrote the first chapter, “Fundamentals and Foundations of Radiation Protection,” which explains what radiation protection aims to achieve, what the system of radiation protection is, and the roles of important domestic and international organizations and institutions in relation to the implementation and practice of radiation protection. Please refer to it.
 

(Written by IIMOTO Takeshi, Professor, Division for Environment, Health and Safety / 2024)