ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
EDITORIAL
March 1957, Vol. 29, No. 3 Issued February 20,1957 APPLIED JOURNALS, ACS Director o f Publications, C. B. Larrabee Editorial Director, Walter J. Murphy Executive Editor, James M. Crowe Producfion Manager, Joseph H. Kuney
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Radiation A Potential Hazard
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY Editor, Lawrence 1. Hallett Managing Editor, Robert 0. Gibbr EDITORIAL HEADQUARTERS WASHINGTON 6, D. C. 1155 Sixteenth St., N.W. Phone Republic 7-5300 Associate Editors: 0. Gladys Gordon, Stella Anderson, Ruth Cornette, Katherine 1. Biggs, George B. Krantz Assistant Editors: Betty V. Kieffer, Sue Jones, Arthur Poulos Editoriol Assistants: Ruth M. Howorth, A n n W. Knox, Eugenia Keller, Hanns 1. Sperr, Sue M. Solliday, Malvina 8. Prelrs, Mariorie A. Hindert, Ruth Reynard Staff Artist, Melvin D. Buckner BRANCH EDITORIAL OFFICES CHICAGO 1, ILL. 86 East Randolph St. Phone State 2-7686 Associate Editors: Kenneth M. Reese, Chester Placek Assistant Editor: Laurence J. White HOUSTON 2, TEX. 718 Melrore Bldg. Phone Fairfax 3-7107 Associate Editor: Harry W. Hainer, Jr. Assistant Editor: Bruce F. Greek NEW YORK 16, N. Y. 2 Park Ave. Phone Oregon 9-1646 Associate Editors: William Q. Hull, Harry Stenerron, Howard J. Sanders, D. Gray Weaver, Walter 5. Fedor Assistant Editor: Morton Salkind SAN FRANCISCO 4, CALIF. 703 Mechanics’ Institute Bldg. 57 Post st. Phone Exbrook 2-2895 Associate Editor:
Richard G. Newhall
EASTON, PA. 20th and Northampton Sts. Phone Easton 91 1 1 Associate Editor: Charlotte C. Sayre Editorial Assistants: Joyce A. Richards, Elizabeth R. Rufe, June A. Barron EUROPEAN OFFICE Bush House, Aldwych, London Phone Temple Bar 3605 Cable JIECHEM Associate Editor: Albert S. nester Contributing Editor:
R. H. Muller
Advisory Board. R. M. Archibald, H. F. Beeghly, H. 0. Cassidy, Harvey Diehl, R. M. Fowler, Louis Gordon, J. 1. Hoffman, E. E. Leininger, H. A. Liebhafsky, V. W. Meloche, John Mitchell, Jr., R. 0. Russell, 0. D. Shreve, A I Steyermark, J. H. Yoe
The dangers of radiation resulting from fall-out from atomic weapons are generally recognized as a potential health hazard, particularly to germinal tissues and thus to future generations. There are, however, other more common sources of radiation, such as use of x-rays and radioisotopes for medical purposes, whose possible harmful effects are becoming a matter of some concern. Before the atomic age, the amount of radiation to which the individual was exposed was limited generally to medical fields and then in relatively small amounts. The Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation of the United Kations is releasing a report on the matter of medical use of x-rays. Preliminary information indicates that this report shows that there are certain undesirable effects, particularly genetic, that the most important artificial source of radiation is use of radiological methods of diagnosis, and that more data are needed concerning the extent of exposure from this source. This leads us to the observation that the steady increase in use of research and testing equipment which incorporates x-ray and radioisotope sources, presents potential hazards to analysts. The extent of the increased analytical interest in nuclear fields, including use of isotopes, instrumentation, power, and education, will be covered in considerable detail at the summer symposium, sponsored by the Division of Analytical Chemistry and ASALYTICAL CHEMISTRY a t Purdue Cnjversity, Lafayette, Ind., June 13 to 15, 1957. The field is considered so important that the entire symposium will be directed to the topic “Nucleonics and Analytical Chemistry Ten Years After.” We know from personal experience that analysts, while fully cognizant of these hazards, sometimes grow careless. Other workers in areas where such equipment is used, also tend to be a little careless. Because effects of radiation appear to be cumulative, there is no room in the laboratory for laxity in using such equipment. It behooves those who are exposed to radiation in their work to advise their doctors when medical and diagnostic use of x-rays are indicated. Radiation, whether from x-rays or radioisotope sources, is a powerful tool. In the hands of those familiar not only with its uses but also with its hazards, it can accomplish results not obtainable by other means. I n the hands of the careless or indifferent worker, it is a lethal tool.
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NO. 3,
MARCH 1957
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