Ionizing Radiation 23 2. Principles of Ionizing Radiation

The primary purpose of this chapter is to provide public health officials, toxicologists, and other interested individuals and groups with an overall perspective of the health physics and toxicology of ionizing radiation. It contains descriptions and evaluations of radiological and toxicological studies and epidemiologic investigations and provides conclusions, where possible, on the relevance of health physics, toxicity, and toxicokinetic data to public health. A glossary and list of acronyms, abbreviations, and symbols can be found at the end of this profile, along with an index. This profile focuses on “ionizing radiation” (alpha, beta, gamma, x ray) as opposed to “non-ionizing” radiation (radio waves, microwaves, radar, ultrasound, visible light, ultraviolet light), so the term “radiation” without further qualification refers only to ionizing radiation.