Examination of scientific whistleblowing about radiation risks in the 20th Century
This paper examines scientific whistleblowing about the risks of radiation in the second half of the 20th Century. Its target audience are students and staff interested in the history of radiation science, histories of expert whistleblowing, planetary health, and the environmental determinants of health.
History shows us that radiation risks are a battleground of scientific opinions, values and politics. Broadly speaking, a gulf has existed (and still exists) between official estimations of radiation risks and the risks observed by many distinguished scientists in the latter part of the twentieth century. These scientists found evidence that radiation risks, including cancers and birth defects, were greater than official estimates. However, they and their scientific reports were often adversely treated by officialdom - both in the West and the East. These scientists consequently suffered career blight, cessation of funding, seizure of their data, peer group ostracism, as well as public criticism and opprobrium. The rub of the matter is that, from recent findings, we know that these scientists were correct. This talk will thus highlight some of the most noteworthy examples of this scientific whistleblowing, summarise key findings, and reflect upon their salience to contemporary understandings of radiation risks.
- this session is free to attend but booking is required.
This page was last updated on 20 March 2025
