Atomic Insights

Atomic energy technology, politics, and perceptions from a nuclear energy insider who served as a US nuclear submarine engineer officer

radiation health effects

Atomic Show #267 – Dr. Lauren Jackson addresses radiophobia

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A couple of weeks ago, I heard Dr. (Isabel) Lauren Jackson talking to Bill Nye on his Science Rules podcast. At the end of his discussion with her, Nye seemed to have changed his mind in the positive direction regarding the importance of nuclear energy.

He seemed far less worried about radiation and the potential for accidental releases when he finished his discussion with Dr. Jackson than he did when opening the show.

After hearing that episode, I decided I had to meet this convincing radiation expert. Through modern magical means (search and social media) I began conversing with Dr. Jackson and even progressed to first name basis. She readily agreed to be the first guest on a reenergized Atomic Show.

We talked about her discussion with “The Science Guy,” about the importance of nuclear energy in a world threatened by climate change, about her research on effects of high dose radiation (in the range of 2-6 Gy received in a single, acute dose), and about her efforts to communicate with the public about the far lower, often unmeasurable effects of low dose radiation.

I think you will enjoy this show. But even if you don’t, please provide feedback on what you liked and what you didn’t. Should I invest more time here or keep getting distracted by other endeavors?

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:08:59 — 79.1MB)

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The Atomic Show #115 – Nuclear Power is Not a Faustian Bargain. It is a Timely Gift.

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Ted Rockwell, Robert Margolis, Kelly Taylor and Rod Adams talk about Ted’s recent advice article aimed at nuclear professionals.

Ted Rockwell is a nuclear industry pioneer. He served as Admiral Rickover’s Technical Director during the formative years of the Navy Nuclear Power Program. He wrote the book on reactor shielding design and has continued to write and speak ever since.

The cover of the November 2008 issue of Nuclear News, the monthly publication from the American Nuclear Society, featured Ted’s opinion piece titled “Nuclear energy: Not a Faustian bargain, but a near-perfect providential gift”. In that article, Ted tells nuclear professionals that they are not so special after all – their industry is much safer than almost any other industry. The materials that they handle do not pose unique hazards, they are simply materials that can cause harm if not properly handled.

If that information leaks out, it could put a number of researchers at risk of losing their grants; after all, even the generous US government might begin to wonder why they are spending so much to “solve” a problem that may not exist in the first place.

Kelly Taylor and Robert Margolis, two long time nuclear professionals join in the conversation. I think you will find a lot of food for thought here.

More about Ted:

Ted Rockwell was honored twice during the fall of 2008 for his contributions to technology and to literature. On September 4, 2008, in London, the World Nuclear Association (WNA) gave him a Pioneer’s Award for Distinguished Contribution to the Peaceful Worldwide Use of Nuclear Energy. Former Ambassador John Ritch, Director General of the WNA, praised Rockwell’s immensely valuable role in building the foundations and future of nuclear power.

On October 20, Rockwell’s book, “The Virtual Librarian: A Tale of Alternative Realities,” was chosen as an award-winning finalist in the Visionary Fiction category of the National Best Books 2008 Awards, sponsored by USA Book News. Publishers competing for this award ran the gamut from mainstreamers like Simon & Schuster, Tarcher/Penguin, HarperCollins, Hyperion, St. Martin’s, McGraw-Hill and John Wiley, to hundreds of independents.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:03:27 — 21.8MB)

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