Share

Health Physics Society 54th Annual Meeting

July 12-16, 2009

McLean, VA, July 8, 2009 – How does Hollywood impact radiation perception? Can we treat cancer with microscopic particles acting like a Trojan horse? How does the radiation exposure our astronauts receive during space travel compare to their routine diagnostic radiology exams?

These and other questions will be addressed at the 54th Annual Meeting of the Health Physics Society (HPS), which will take place July 13-16, 2009 in Minneapolis, MN, at the Hilton/Minneapolis Convention Center. Approximately 900 attendees are expected, with nearly 280 presentations throughout the four days. The opening plenary session will highlight invited speakers from Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute, Washington State University and others discussing radiation doses from internally deposited radionuclides.

SPECIAL SESSIONS

Monday afternoon

1. Stakeholder engagement

2. Nanotechnology

• Current and future medical applications
• Risk-benefit and ethics

Tuesday morning

1. Indoor radon

• Measurement techniques
• Epidemiology

Tuesday morning and afternoon

1. Accelerators

• Mitigating radiation risks
• The Stanford synchrotron radiation lightsource

2. Power Reactors

• International and U.S. perspective on the nuclear energy resurgence
• Advanced technologies
• Public exposure considerations

3. Homeland Security

• Advanced detection to combat terrorism
• Global threat reduction initiative

3. Academy of Health Physics

• Radiation exposure of the U.S. population
• Health effects of ionizing radiation
• Indoor radon risk

Wednesday morning

1. Medical health physics

• CT dose assessments in clinical practice
• Medical events

2. Federal government nuclear detonation preparedness

• Effects and impacts in the urban environment
• Sheltering and evacuation recommendations

Wednesday morning and afternoon

3. Case studies in health physics

• Human factors at Three Mile Island
• Health effects of ionizing radiation
• Indoor radon risk

MORE HIGHLIGHTS

• Predicting cancer risks from naturally occurring radionuclides in drinking water (MPM)
• Upgrading the transuranium and uranium registries' pathology database (MPM)
• Risks to armored combat vehicles occupants from depleted uranium (MPM)
• Hollywood's impact on radiation perceptions (MPM)
• Exposure of the U.S. population from medical sources (TAM)
• New study results related to low dose and low-dose rate radiation exposures (TAM)
• Radiofrequency field strength fluctuations due to digital conversion of television signals (WAM)
• Screening systems for personnel and cargo vehicles (WPM)
• Radiation from granite countertops (THAM)

Reporters who would like to attend the meeting or who need assistance contacting the presenters should contact HPS Media Liaison Kelly Classic (media@hps.org or 507-254-8444).

The entire preliminary program can be found at http://hps.org/documents/54_annual_meeting_preliminary_program.pdf.

ABOUT THE HEALTH PHYSICS SOCIETY

The Health Physics Society consists of approximately 5,500 radiation safety professionals whose activities include ensuring safe and beneficial uses of radiation and radioactive materials, assisting in the development of standards and regulations, and communicating radiation safety information.

The Society is a nonprofit organization formed in 1956. Its primary mission is excellence in the science and practice of radiation safety. The Society has members in approximately 70 countries, and has established nearly 50 chapters and 10 student branches. Visit www.hps.org for more information.

Health physicists promote the practice of radiation safety. They work in occupational environments such as universities, local hospitals, manufacturing, and nuclear power plants as well as in environmental areas such as radioactive waste sites. They are involved in understanding, evaluating, and controlling radiation's potential risks relative to its benefits in applications such as fighting disease, supplying energy, and increasing security.

Share