Health Physics Academic Education Center

For decades, radiation has been beneficial to humans, from treating cancer to generating electrical power. But when used in large quantities or in an unsafe way, radiation can harm living organisms. Care must be taken with nuclear reactors, nuclear weapons, high-energy particle accelerators, x-ray machines, and radionuclides used in biomedical research and therapy. This special attention helps minimize the potential for unnecessary irradiation of individuals or environmental contamination.

Many industries, medical facilities, defense plants, and research laboratories demand professionals who understand radiation hazards and how to prevent and control them. Prominent among scientists is the health physicist, who controls the beneficial use of radiation while protecting workers and the public from potential hazards. The health physics profession is diverse and one of the most interesting and rewarding fields of scientific endeavor.