Bremsstrahlung (and other) reference information sources

[kgordon@cc.UManitoba.CA]

Dear Radsafers

Happy New Year from the Frozen Great White North (Winnipeg, Canada). One day 
last week it was -35 C with a howling wind - exposed skin freezes in less than a 
minute!! Definitely more hazardous than radiation.  But we Canucks are used to 
the cold, eh.

I recently ordered in (from England) a copy of the HHSC Handbook No. 15, 1994 
(ISBN 0-948237-23-6) entitled "Bremsstrahlung from Radionuclides - Practical 
Guidance for Radiation Protection" by I.S. McLintock.  It is part of a series of 
HHSC handbooks that have been prepared on behalf of the (British) Association of 
University Radiation Protection Officers.  

I've found this handbook to be an extremely useful reference on the topic.  

Table of Contents:

1.  Introduction
2.  Types of bremmstrahlung
3.  Spectra of bremmstrahlung
4.  Transmission/attenuation data for bremmstrahlung
5.  Calculation and measurement of bremmstrahlung dose rates
6.  Practical Examples
	-Dose rates at surfaces of commercial stock vials
	-Dose rates at the surfaces of McGregor blocks
	-Dose rates at surfaces of syringes containing P-32 and fitted with 	
 	perspex beta shields  
	-Dose rates at surfaces of containers holding Cl-36, S-35 or C-14
	-Dose rates produced when lead is used to shield P-32
	-Dose rates produced when leaded perspex is used to shield P-32
	-Dose rates produced when leaded perspex is used to shield Sr-90/Y-90
	-Responses of contamination monitors for the estimation of 	 
	bremsstrahlung dose rates
	-Bremsstrahlung measurements for estimation of P-32 in waste containers

There are a lot of very useful tables and graphs and appendices - I've found 
them a great resource when teaching nuclear med staff doing beta radionuclide 
therapy about the potential hazards of high energy betas (P-32, Sr-89, Re-188, 
Y-90, Sa-153 etc.) and safe handling procedures. It is also extremely useful for 
teaching research lab staff.

The price is $30.00 US ($35 Cdn). It can be ordered from:
	H and H Scientific Consultants
	PO Box MT27
	Leeds LS17 8QP		International Tel +44 113 268-7189
	United Kingdom			      Fax +44 113 268-7191  	

At the same time you might want to request their catalogue of other handbooks, 
monographs and training videos.  I have amassed a collection of some that I 
would happily recommend:

#14	Radiation Protection: Handbook for Laboratory Workers
#13 	Treatment and Disposal of Clinical Waste
#11	Tritium: Radiation Protection In the Laboratory
# 9 	Phosphorus-32: Practical Radiation Protection
	
-	Health Physics Aspects of the Use of Radioiodines
-	A Literature Survey and Design Study of Fumecupboards and Fume-dispersal 
	Systems

They also list publications on other radiation and occupational safety topics 
(lasers, workplace chemicals, laboratory design, microbiological hazards,  
personal sampling pumps, workplace allergens, etc.) that may be of interest.  

I'd also highly recommend books from the Institute of Physical Sciences in 
Medicine:  Contact 	ISPM Publications, 
			P.O. Box 303
			York Y01 2WR  
			United Kingdom

The National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) in the UK is also a marvellous 
resource, with many publications, videos, slides and software available. The 
NRPB publishes a periodic (quarterly?) newsletter which is excellent. An 
up-to-date catalogue of current offerings is available by writing the NRPB.

Address:	NRPB Information Services Department 
		Chilton, Didcot,
		Oxon OX11 0RQ		Fax +44 235 831600
		United Kingdom
  
Keep in mind that the above resource materials were developed and written for a 
UK audience, and some of the standards, regulations and codes of practice quoted 
may not coincide with those in other countries. Also, I'm not sure if videos 
from the UK can be directly used on North American VCRs, or if they first have 
to undergo some kind of "electronic translation" process.

This is definitely not a commercial advertisement for HHSC, ISPM or NRPB - I'm a 
Canadian RSO for two university teaching hospitals in Winnipeg, Manitoba  - with 
direct responsibility for a regional radiopharmacy, 2 nuclear medicine 
departments and about 60 biomedical research labs. It is also my job to provide 
technical support and radiation safety advice to another 7 community hospital 
and clinic-based nuclear medicine departments in Manitoba. Teaching radiation 
safety is a big part of my workload, so I'm always on the lookout for good 
reference materials - handbooks, textbooks, slides, videos, cartoons, etc. 

It appears that not many US or Canadian  RSOs are aware of some of the excellent 
books and other resource materials available from Britain. I've found most of 
the material I've ordered in to be of very high quality, practically oriented 
and affordable. 

I apologise for the length of this message but hope it is useful!

Karin Gordon
Radiation Safety Office			Voice:	(204) 787-2903
Health Sciences Centre			Fax:	(204) 787-1313
GC-214, 820 Sherbrook Street		E-mail  KGordon@cc.UManitoba.ca
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Canada R3A 1R9