Strange glow : the story of radiation / Timothy J. Jorgensen

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Jorgensen, Timothy J., author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Radiation--Physiological effect.

Radiation.

Radiation--Health aspects.

Medical Subjects:

Radiation.

Physical Description:

1 online resource : illustrations

Edition:

New paperback edition / with a new preface by the author

Place of Publication:

Princeton : Princeton University Press, 2026

Summary:

"The fascinating science and history of radiation More than ever before, radiation is a part of our modern daily lives. We own radiation-emitting phones, regularly get diagnostic x-rays, such as mammograms, and submit to full-body security scans at airports. We worry and debate about the proliferation of nuclear weapons and the safety of nuclear power plants. But how much do we really know about radiation? And what are its actual dangers? An accessible blend of narrative history and science, Strange Glow describes mankind's extraordinary, thorny relationship with radiation, including the hard-won lessons of how radiation helps and harms our health. Timothy Jorgensen explores how our knowledge of and experiences with radiation in the last century can lead us to smarter personal decisions about radiation exposures today. Jorgensen introduces key figures in the story of radiation--from Wilhelm Roentgen, the discoverer of x-rays, and pioneering radioactivity researchers Marie and Pierre Curie, to Thomas Edison and the victims of the recent Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident. Tracing the most important events in the evolution of radiation, Jorgensen explains exactly what radiation is, how it produces certain health consequences, and how we can protect ourselves from harm. He also considers a range of practical scenarios such as the risks of radon in our basements, radiation levels in the fish we eat, questions about cell-phone use, and radiation's link to cancer. Jorgensen empowers us to make informed choices while offering a clearer understanding of broader societal issues. Investigating radiation's benefits and risks, Strange Glow takes a remarkable look at how, for better or worse, radiation has transformed our society"-- De Gruyter Brill

Contents:

Nuclear jaguars

Now you see it : Radiation revealed

Seek and you shall find : Radioactivity everywhere

Splitting hairs : Atomic particles and nuclear fission

Painted into a corner : Radiation and occupational illness

The Hippocratic paradox : Radiation cures cancer

Location, location, location : Radiation sickness

Snow warning : Radioactive fallout

After the dust settles : Measuring the cancer risk of radiation

Breeding season : Genetic effects

Crystal clear : The target for radiation damage

Silent Spring : Radon in homes

A tale of two cities : Diagnostic radiography

Sorry, wrong number : Cell phones

Hot tuna : Radioactivity in food

Blue moon : Nuclear power plant accidents

The things they carried : Geopolitical radiation threats

Epilogue : N-rays

Notes:

Previous edition: 2016

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Online resource; title from PDF title page (De Gruyter Brill, viewed May 29, 2026)

Other Format:

Print version: Jorgensen, Timothy J. Strange glow

OCLC:

1573657846

Publisher Number:

CIPO000338991