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Radiological Protection of Patients in Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Radiotherapy. By the International Atomic Energy Agency, pp. 587, 2001 (International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria), 128.63 ISBN 92-0-101401-5

This book contains the proceedings of an international conference of the same title held in Malaga, Spain in March 2001 under the auspices of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and other European and world organisations.

As with most IAEA initiatives, the conference was intended for a very broad spectrum of national participants from countries at rather different stages in the development and implementation of radiation protection practice in medicine. In consequence, the published papers are somewhat variable in standard and radiation protection practice in the UK has moved on beyond a number of the recommendations discussed here.

Another minor criticism is that the real meat of this book is considerably less than the advertised 587 pages. 126 pages are taken up with details of participants and chairpersons, and a further 155 pages with opening addresses, a background session on radiological protection of patients and a briefing session.

Notwithstanding these adverse remarks, both newcomers to the subject and experienced workers in radiation protection in medicine will find much useful material here. For the newcomer to the field I would particularly recommend the 15 page "Executive Summary" as a starting point. This is clearly written in non-technical language and summarizes the key radiation protection findings in respect of the mainstream topical sessions—general diagnostic radiology, specialised diagnostic areas (mammography and CT), interventional radiology, nuclear medicine and radiotherapy—together with the important subject of education, training and continuing professional development.

Experienced workers will use this book more selectively according to their own special interests. Topics in diagnostic radiology considered in greater depth include developing and using guidance (reference) dose levels, radiological protection of paediatric patients, protection of patients in biomedical research and topics for radiation protection research and development. Here and elsewhere there is reference to the importance of risk–benefit analysis, so it is unfortunate that fundamental research issues concentrate on improved dose measurement with little or no reference to the paucity of information on the actual risk from very low doses of radiation. There is rather less specialized information on radiological protection in nuclear medicine and radiotherapy.

Overall this publication is more coherent than many others based on conference proceedings. It would be a useful acquisition for a departmental library, but is somewhat less suitable for purchase by individuals.

The contributed papers are available on CD-ROM.

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