Life and Death Rays Radioactive Poisoning and Radiation Exposure

This unique book provides an accessible introduction to both the scientific background and the key people involved in the discovery and use of radiation and radioactivity. It begins by providing a short history of radiation exposures and radiation poisoning; from the early inappropriate use of X-rays and radium cures through the misadventures of the Manhattan Project and the Chernobyl disaster, to the high-profile and deliberate poisoning of Alexander Litvinenko in London with polonium-210, which gave rise to worldwide media attention. The chapters provide a catalogue of deliberate criminal acts, unfortunate accidents, and inadvertent radiation exposures, exploring well-known events in detail, as well as some not so well-known occurrences. It works through the topics by focusing on human stories and events and their biological impact. In addition, it covers descriptions of the beneficial uses of radiation and radioactivity. This book can be enjoyed by any reader with a general interest in science, as well as by students and professionals within the scientific and medical communities. Key features Authored by a subject area specialist who has worked in both clinical practice and academia and was involved with the national media following incidents of national and international importance Provides a unique human perspective into well-known and some lesser known events and a concise history of the discovery of radiation and the events that followed Adds scientific and medical background to a subject of high media interest

Contents Preface xi Acknowledgements xiii About the Author xv Chapter 1 The Poisoned Chalice .................................................1 Chapter 2 Designer Poisons ……………………………………………………. 19 Chapter 3 Mysterious Rays ……………………………………………………….29 Chapter 4 Radiant Health ………………………………………………………. 43 Chapter 5 Kill or Cure …………………………………………………..………... 59 Chapter 6 Chain Reactions ………………….………….……………….87 Chapter 7 Nutopia …………………………………………….…………. 103 Chapter 8 From Tracers to Treatment ………………………………………. 119 Chapter 9 A Series of Unfortunate Events …………………………………. 137 Chapter 10 Home and Away ……………………………………………………. 155 Chapter 11 Biological Effects and Medical Treatment ………………..…. 167 Chapter 12 Spies, Subterfuge, Missions and Murder ………………………. 181 Glossary ………………………………………………………………….……………. 205 Bibliography ……………………………………………………………….…………. 213 Appendix 1: Table of SI Metric Prefixes …………………………….…………. 219 Index ……………………………………………………………………………..……. 221

Alan Perkins is Emeritus Professor of Medical Physics in Radiological Sciences in the School of Medicine at the University of Nottingham, having previously held the position of Clinical Professor of Medical Physics in the School of Medicine and Honorary Consultant Clinical Scientist at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, where he was the Clinical Support Divisional Lead for Research and Innovation. He has over 35 years experience in Nuclear Medicine and Medical Physics and broad managerial experience in the National Health Service. His contribution to clinical science and collaborative research has resulted in authorship of over 200 peer-reviewed publications and 6 published textbooks. Professor Perkins is a Past President of the British Nuclear Medicine Society and Past President of the International Research Group for Immunoscintigraphy and Therapy, a previous Vice President of the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine and currently a Governor and Chair of the Research Strategy Board for Coeliac UK. He was an editor of the UK journal Nuclear Medicine Communications and for over 9 years represented the UK on The High-Level Group for the Security of Medical Radioisotope Supplies at the OECD in Paris. He has consulted for a number of commercial organisations and has acted as an expert witness for pharmaceutical litigation in the US.