Radiation

What is radiation and how does it affect me are questions you may think about, but not be able to answer. All of us hear a good deal about radiation today. Disasters make headlines, such as the ones that have occurred at Three Mile Island, Chernobyl, and, in the most recent crisis, the earthquake and tsunami that damaged the Fukushima nuclear reactors in Japan. These terrible accidents may cause us to become concerned about our own safety and the safety of those close to us. Many journalists who write about issues associated with radioactivity and the potential effects of radiation on people don’t really understand the topic, and often, unintentionally, exaggerate or minimize the concern. Some try to sensationalize it. The average person just doesn’t know what to believe or how concerned to be about any possible danger.

This book explains the different types of radiation that exist in nature and how each of them may affect us. It covers the major benefits and risks from radiation. The material is presented at a reasonably basic level so that those without a strong background in science will still be able to understand the topic.

The author received his Ph.D. in physics in 1972. He was involved in research associated with the effects of nuclear weapons, including radiation, for over 35 years, first as an officer in the United States Air Force and later working as a research scientist at a national laboratory.