Preface

Radiation is known to be present on our planet naturally. Naturally occurring radioactive materials are present in our homes, food and water, and even in the air we breathe. In addition, radiation is present in manmade activities, including X-rays for diagnosis and therapeutic purposes, testing of nuclear weapons, and in nuclear plants for power generation. Depending on the type of radiation, it is important that exposure is minimized to avoid the risk of biological harm to the human body.

This book provides knowledge on the types of radiation, the uses of radiation, the levels of exposure, and radiation protection. I appreciate the efforts of all contributing authors for sharing their knowledge and research findings in this book. The authors are composed of researchers in different fields such as medicine, science, and other areas involved in the use, measurement, and management of radiation.

This book is dedicated to all readers and I hope they will find it useful in their respective areas of research.

**II**

**Section 2**

**Section 3**

*by Markus Zehringer*

*and Tomisato Miura*

*by Isam Salih Mohamed Musa*

Radiation Therapy **121**

**Chapter 7 123**

Radioactivity **143**

**Chapter 8 145**

**Chapter 9 171**

**Chapter 10 181**

*by Takuya Ohdaira, Kanna Meguro, Kazuki Komatsu, Rina Syoji, Yohei Fujishima,* 

Spinal Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT) Planning Techniques

Monitoring of Natural Radioactivity in Drinking Water and Food with

Analysis of Radioactive Elements in Testes of Large Japanese Field Mice Using an Electron Probe Micro-Analyser after the Fukushima Accident

*Valerie Swee Ting Goh, Kosuke Kasai, Kentaro Ariyoshi, Akifumi Nakata, Yusuke Urushihara, Kazuma Koarai, Yasushi Kino, Tsutomu Sekine, Masatoshi Suzuki, Atsushi Takahasi, Yoshinaka Shimizu, Hisashi Shinoda,* 

*Mitsuaki A. Yoshida, Manabu Fukumoto, Hideaki Yamashiro* 

Environmental Radiation: Natural Radioactivity Monitoring

*by Jina Kim, Yunji Seol, Hong Seok Jang and Young-Nam Kang*

Emphasis on Alpha-Emitting Radionuclides

The efforts of the service manager and the staff of IntechOpen are highly appreciated. Their professional assistance and cooperation make the function of the editor a walk in the park.

> **Dr. Otolorin Adelaja Osibote** Department of Mathematics and Physics, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South Africa

**1**

Section 1

Radiation Protection and

Measurement

Section 1
