Re: top ten list

[pward@iastate.edu]

Denis J. Rinkacs Jr. wrote:

> > Subject: top ten list
> >
> > to all of you RSO's out there, what would your top ten list of reference
> > books be?  I'm in the process of aquiring/replacing books as part of a
> > change in the RSO at my university.  Also what subscriptions (magazines)
> > would be useful?
> >
My $0.02 worth as an RSO with about 15 years experience:

1) HPS journal (as many back issues as you can get), HPS Newsletter, and the
HPS membership directory (back issues of this are also useful).

2) NCRP Publications (as many old ones as you can get your hands on.  They
may not represent current thinking, but the history of the methodologies is
often as useful as current guidance).

3) Herman Cember's book: _Introduction to Health Physics_, 2nd ed (unless a
newer one is out that covers the DAC/ALI methods instead of MPCs.

4) a good radiation physics reference/text.  I use Lapp and Andrews _Nuclear
Radiation Physics_ but its pretty old.  Maybe someone has a better idea on
this one.

5) If you have machine produced radiation, Johns and Cunnigham's _The
Physics of Radiology_ is essential.  I have the 3rd edition, there might be
a newer one.

6) If you have lasers, then get Dave Sliney and Myron Wolbarsht's book:
_Safety with Lasers and Other Optical Sources_ that was already mentioned. 
I also use the _Laser Safety Handbook_ by Alex Mallow and Leon Chabot.  Mine
is the 1978 edition, but there may be a newer edition.  You need the new
ANSI Z136.1 1993 edition of _Safe Use of Lasers_ too.

7) A good medical reference.  I use the classic edition of _Gray's Anatomy_
which has good illustrations for explaining things to students and victims.

8) A good dictionary.

9) A nice big periodic table and a chart of the nuclides.

10) the CFR's and whatever agreement state regulations you need.  I have (of
course) the 10 CFR's but if I had the money and space, I'd also get the 40
CFR (Environmental).  If you do any shipping of RAM, get the DOT reg's and
the IATA and ICAO rules.

Optional if you can find it (and afford it), get Robley Evan's _The Atomic
Nucleus_.  It's been out of print for years but a good used book dealer can
sometimes get one.  Also Hine and Brownell's _Radiation Dosimetry_ is
another classic.

Disclaimer: This is my personal opinion and it's worth what you paid for it. 
I'm currently unemployed, so it's irrelevant what my employer thinks
about it (anybody got any openings?).

Paul Ward
pward@iastate.edu