Health physics

Health physics, also referred to as the science of radiation protection, is the profession devoted to protecting people and their environment from potential radiation hazards, while making it possible to enjoy the beneficial uses of radiation. Health physicists principally work at facilities where radionuclides or other sources of ionizing radiation (such as X-ray generators) are used or produced, these include research, industry, education, medical facilities, nuclear power, military, environmental protection, enforcement of government regulations, and decontamination and decommissioning—the combination of education and experience for health physicists depends on the specific field in which the health physicist is engaged.

There are many sub-specialties in the field of health physics.

• Ionizing radiation instrumentation and measurement
  
• Internal dosimetry and external dosimetry
• Radioactive waste management
• Radioactive contamination, decontamination and decommissioning
• Radiological engineering (shielding, holdup, etc.)
• Environmental assessment, radiation monitoring and radon evaluation
• Operational radiation protection/health physics
• Particle accelerator physics
• Radiological emergency response/planning - (e.g., Nuclear Emergency Support Team)
• Industrial uses of radioactive material
• Medical health physics
• Public information and communication involving radioactive materials
• Biological effects/radiation biology
• Radiation standards
• Radiation risk analysis
• Nuclear power
• Radioactive materials and homeland security
• Radiation protection
• Nanotechnology