Eisenbud, Merill : University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Merril Eisenbud is the author of more than 200 contributions to scientific journals and books. He is currently
Professor Emeritus at the Nelson Institute of Environmental Medicine, New York University Medical Center, where
he spent 25 years as professor and director of the Laboratory of Environmental Studies. Dr. Eisenbud has served
with the U.S. Atomic Energy commission (where he was the founding director of the Health and Safety Laboratory),
the National Academy of Engineering, New York Academy of Sciences, the Brazilian Academy of Sciences, the New York
Academy of Medicine, and as Environmental Protection Administrator for the City of New York. He has been a member
of many national and international committees concerned with radiation research and is currently an Honorary Member
of the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements, and a member of the National Research Council
Board on Radiation Effects. Dr. Eisenbud is currently Scholar in Residence at the Duke University Medical center,
and is adjunct professor of Environmental Sciences and Engineering at the University of North Carolina School of
Public Health.
Gesell, Thomas F. : Idaho State University
Tom Gesell is a member of the Health Physics Society and the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements,
and serves on federal advisory committees and is a consultant to the International Atomic Energy Agency. He has
made close to 100 contributions to the scientific literature and has edited compendia on natural radiation and
on contamination from nuclear weapons testing. Dr. Gesell has directed the Department of Energy's Radiological
and Environmental Sciences Laboratory located on the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory site where he managed
numerous programs related to protection health and environment. Since 1991 Gesell has been a professor of health
physics at Idaho State University where he also directs the ISU Environmental Monitoring Program and serves as
University Radiation Safety Officer.
Summary
Environmental Radioactivity from Natural, Industrial, and Military Sources is the comprehensive source of information
on radiation in the environment and human exposure to radioactivity. This Fourth Edition is a complete revision
and extension of the classic work, reflecting major new developments and concerns as the Cold War ended, nuclear
weapons began to be dismantled, and cleanup of the nuclear weapons facilities assumed center stage. Contamination
from accidents involving weapons, reactors, and radionuclide sources are discussed in an updated chapter, including
the latest information about the effects of the Chernobyl accident. Important revisions are also made to the chapters
on natural radioactivity, nuclear fuels and power reactors, radioactive waste management, and various other sources
of exposure. Several chapters provide primers for readers who may not be familiar with the fundamentals of radiation
biology, protection standards, and pathways for the environmental transport of radionuclides. An Appendix lists
the properties of the more important radionuclides found in the environment. The book concludes with a commentary
on contemporary social aspects of radiation exposure and risks that offers an alternative view to current, often
excessive concerns over radiation, nuclear technology, and waste.
Key Features
Describes every important source of environmental radioactivity
Reviews the vexing problems of radioactive waste management and cleanup of contaminated sites
Contains measured or projected radiation dose estimates for the major sources
Features 126 figures, 80 tables, and more than 1200 references
Discusses current problems in historical context
The two authors bring more than 75 years of combined experience with environmental radioactivity
Provides an understanding of the sources of environmental radioactivity and human exposure from the mining
of ores to final disposal of wastes
Thoroughly reviews important contamination accidents
The book is a single, authoritative resource for up-to-date information on sources of environmental radioactivity
and human exposure
The 1200 references provide full documentation and sources from which additional information is available
May be used as a graduate text as well as a reference work
Provides an understanding of the sources of environmental radioactivity from the mining of ores to final disposal
of wastes
Discusses many lesser-known sources of radiation exposure that provide useful, documented information for those
seeking to place environmental radioactivity from nuclear energy into perspective
Table of Contents
Preface.
Introduction.
The Biological Basis of Radiation Protection.
Radiation Protection Standards.
Atmospheric Pathways.
Terrestrial and Aquatic Pathways.
Natural Radioactivity.
Production and Reprocessing of Nuclear Fuels.
Power Reactors.
Nuclear Weapons.
Various Other Sources of Exposure. Radioactive Waste Management.
Experience with Radioactive Contamination Due to Accidents.
Methods of Environmental Surveillance.
Radiological Assessment and its Application to Dose Reconstruction.
Remediation of Contaminated Sites.
Radiation Exposure and Risks: Some Contemporary Social Aspects.
Appendix: The Properties of Certain Radionuclides.
List of Acronyms. References.
Subject Index.
Table Captions and New Tables.
Figure Captions.
