Nearly a decade aga a general review article on the evaluation of optical radia tion hazards was published in Applied Optics (Sliney and Freasier, 1973). This arti cle received many favorable comments but also prompted many inquiries regarding specific optical hazard problems. From this it became evident that a monograph rather than a supplemental and expanded article was needed to fill this literature gap relating to laser and optical radiation hazards. The present work is designed to fill that gap, and is structured to permit either classroom or self-study use. Much of the material in this book was developed in eonnection with short courses on laser safety and radiometry in which we have participated, as weIl as from our previous articles. In particular, the sequenee of chapters is based upon the experiences which we have had in lecturing in courses with different schedules. One of the great difficulties in developing a text of this nature is that a broad, multidisciplinary background must be included in order that the reader can comprehend all of the subjeet matter readily. For this reason, the material presented on anatomy and physiology is orien ted toward the engineer or physical scientist, while the review material on basic optical physics is intended more for the physician or life scientist.
David H. Sliney, Ph.D., Certified LSO - Chairman, ANSI Z136 Committee on Hazard Evaluation and Classification. Member, ANSI Z136 Committees on Biological Effects, Measurements and Instrumentation, Control Measures, Safety Training and Control Measures, Fiber Optics and Safety in Health Care Facilities.
Dr. Sliney received his B.S. in Physics in 1963 from Virginia Polytechnic; his M.S. Physics and Radiological Health in 1965 from Emory University; and his Ph.D. in Biophysics and Medical Physics from the University of London. He has been active in the establishment of safety standards for protection of the eye and skin from lasers and high intensity optical sources. He is currently Chairman of LIA's Laser Safety Committee, and he recently served as a temporary advisor to the World Health Organization at several conferences related to lasers, RF, magnetic fields, and infrared and ultraviolet radiation.
Dr. Sliney is a well known author and editor and has been widely published in the area of radiation safety. He has co-authored Safety with Lasers and Other Optical Sources (Plenham Publishing, New York, 1980) and Medical Lasers and Their Safe Use (Springer-Verlag, New York, 1992).
