The bombing of Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, brought radiation to international attention but the exact nature of what had been unleashed was still unclear to most. The 1986 meltdown at the Chernobyl nuclear plant again made headlines with estimates of fatalities ranging from 4000 to almost a million deaths. By the time of the shocking 2011 disaster at the Fukushima nuclear plant social media meant governments and corporations no longer had a monopoly over the release of information, but transparency remains low on the agenda.

Meanwhile, few physicians give thought to the delayed health effects of radiation. It has been the bold physician who has challenged the potential overuse of chest X-rays, CT scanning, or PET scans. This book provides clear and accurate information about radiation so that we can all make informed choices. In clear language it offers answers to citizens’ questions: What is radiation? Where do we encounter it? What are the benefits and risks? How do we develop a responsible future around the uses and abuses of radioactivity?

Dr. Dale Dewar is associate professor in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan, an active member of the International Committee of the Society of Rural Physicians of Canada, a two-term member of the Canadian Friends Service Committee, and former Executive Director of Physicians for Global Survival.

Dale Dewar's profile page

Florian Oelck has a master’s degree in International Studies from the University of Ottawa

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“Too much of what is written about radiation, and its adverse effects, is conveyed in the language of physics and statistics. Dewar and Oelck teach through stories, each one fascinating, and the lessons they offer come with just the right dose of humility.”

David Richardson, Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

“This book combines accessibility with the authors’ integrity and competence. Written from the perspective of an experienced physician and drawing conclusions from decades of evidence it provides a vital resource for those who look for critical understanding and comprehension.”

Ursula M. Franklin, FRSC, Professor Emerita, University of Toronto