Our Radiant World

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

Recently the EPA warned of the seepage of radona naturally occurring radioactive gasinto American homes in certain regions. This timely study of radioactivity, both natural and man-made, provides a realistic analysis of the kinds of radiation most people encounter, and helps us understand how and why each is beneficial or dangerous, and how we should react. Lillie, a scientist and former consultant and editor, presents an orderly look at such forms of radiation as X-rays, light itself, cosmic rays, ultraviolet rays and others found in nature, and follows this studywhich demands close attention because of its technical aspects (there is an acronym listing with a look at man-made radiation ranging from atomic weapons (Hiroshima and Nagasaki's victims four decades later) to modern reactors serving America's power needs, why their wastes should be our main worry, etc. Lillie specifically hits home with a discussion of the risks from color TV, microwave ovens and other home appliances, while of course the nuclear arsenals of the superpowers grimly make up the background. (October