Answer to Question #677 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

There are several possible ways you might make contact with a health physicist qualified to perform the measurements/assessments necessary to demonstrate that the cabinets you are producing do provide the necessary level of protection. You could begin by contacting an officer (President, President-elect, or Secretary) of a local chapter of the Health Physics Society. Chapters are spread all over the country but we have a list of Chapter websites.

The names of the officers and their email addresses are given. The chapter officer may be able to recommend one or more of their members who could meet your needs or put you in contact with someone who could direct you to such an individual. As a second approach you could establish contact with the American Academy of Health Physics (AAHP). The Academy consists of individuals who have been certified by the American Board of Health Physics, through an examination process, as professional health physicists.

The Academy maintains listing of their plenary members by city in the United States, and each member's email address is available. Unfortunately, the members' particular areas of expertise are not listed, but you could contact a few members in cities nearby you and request whether they or other health physicists they know would be available for the work you describe. It is also possible to contact the Secretariat of the AAHP. The Secretariat maintains lists of certified health physicists who have indicated an interest in providing consulting services; the list can be sorted by states or by work specialty.

The AAHP is working to have this information available on its Web page, but it is not yet a reality. The email address of the Secretariat is aahp@BurkInc.com. Another organization that includes health physicists and medical physicists working in the medical area is the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM). They also have a number of local chapters throughout the country and chapter officers may be able to recommend one or more appropriate individuals to you. You can pick the chapter that covers your area and see the officers' names and phone numbers. Good luck in your pursuits. Hope you find a suitable individual.

George Chabot, CHP, Ph.D.