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US Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine

Health Physics

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U.S. Army Center

for

Health Promotion & Preventive Medicine

Health Physics Program

Program Manager: LTC Mark A. Melanson, Ph.D., CHP

Ionizing radiation, both natural and man-made, is one of many potential health hazards to which soldiers, Army civilians and contractors, and the public may be exposed. The U.S. Army uses radioactive materials and ionizing radiation producing devices for many purposes. Some of these uses are military unique, such as depleted uranium used for vehicle armor and armor penetrating munitions. However, the majority of the Army's use of ionizing radiation (for example, luminous dials and gauges, nondestructive testing, medical x-ray and nuclear medicine procedures) are also common in the private sector. Army personnel may also be exposed to ionizing radiation from foreign industrial, nuclear power, and military sources during deployments and training exercises.

The Health Physics Program at the USACHPPMprovides a variety of services to protect the health of soldiers and civilians and the environment from the harmful effects of ionizing radiation. These services include:

Radiation dose assessments and health risk assessments for soldiers and the general public.
Development of guidance documents concerning the safe use of ionizing radiation.
Technical assistance in developing Army doctrine and policy concerning ionizing radiation.
Periodic evaluations of the radiation protection programs at Army installations and organizations (such as medical facilities, research laboratories and reactors).
Historical site assessments and surveys in support of decommissioning of Army facilities.
Response and consultation in the event of any accident or incident involving radiation or radioactive materials.

The Health Physics Program also provides health physics consultation and support to the Health Hazard Assessment Program, the Deployment Environmental Surveillance Program and many other programs within the USACHPPM. We also work closely with the Radiological, Classic and Clinical Chemistry Division of the Directorate of Laboratory Sciences.

Need to Contact Us?

Commander, USACHPPM

ATTN: MCHB-TS-OHP

5158 Blackhawk Road

Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21010-5403

(410) 436-3502 or DSN 584-3502

FAX: (410) 436-8261/8263 or DSN 584-8261/8263

Or send us an e-mail

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Page last updated: July 2004

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