The Genetic Effects of Radiation

pointed out that the precautions taken in the atomic energy industry are such that absorption of radiation is not as severe a problem as one might suspect. Fully 95% of those engaged in this work receive less than 1 rem a year. Only 1% receive more than 5 rems. UNITED STATES ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION Dr. Glenn T. Seaborg, Chairman James T. Ramey Dr. Gerald F. Tape Dr. Samuel M. Nabrit Wilfrid E. Johnson ONE OF A SERIES ON UNDERSTANDING THE ATOM Nuclear energy is playing a vital role in the life of every man, woman, and child in the United States today. In the years ahead it will affect increasingly all the peoples of the earth. It is essential that all Americans gain an understanding of this vital force if they are to discharge thoughtfully their responsibilities as citizens and if they are to realize fully the myriad benefits that nuclear energy offers them. The United States Atomic Energy Commission provides this booklet to help you achieve such understanding. Edward J. Brunenkant Director Division of Technical Information This booklet is one of the “Understanding the Atom” Series. Comments are invited on this booklet and others in the series; please send them to the Division of Technical Information, U. S. Atomic Energy Commission, Washington, D. C. 20545. Published as part of the AEC’s educational assistance program, the series includes these titles: NUCLEAR POWER AND MERCHANT SHIPPING PLUTONIUM OUR ATOMIC WORLD NUCLEAR ENERGY FOR DESALTING CONTROLLED NUCLEAR FUSION WHOLE BODY COUNTERS PLOWSHARE POPULAR BOOKS ON NUCLEAR SCIENCE SNAP, NUCLEAR SPACE REACTORS NUCLEAR REACTORS ATOMS, NATURE, AND MAN MICROSTRUCTURE OF MATTER SYNTHETIC TRANSURANIUM ELEMENTS COMPUTERS RESEARCH REACTORS GENETIC EFFECTS OF RADIATION POWER FROM RADIOISOTOPES NONDESTRUCTIVE TESTING RARE EARTHS FOOD PRESERVATION BY IRRADIATION FALLOUT FROM NUCLEAR TESTS RADIOACTIVE WASTES RADIOISOTOPES IN INDUSTRY ATOMS AT THE SCIENCE FAIR RADIOISOTOPES AND LIFE PROCESSES ATOMIC FUEL ATOMIC POWER SAFETY DIRECT CONVERSION OF ENERGY CAREERS IN ATOMIC ENERGY RADIOISOTOPES IN MEDICINE ACCELERATORS NUCLEAR TERMS, A BRIEF GLOSSARY NEUTRON ACTIVATION ANALYSIS ATOMS IN AGRICULTURE POWER REACTORS IN SMALL PACKAGES Single copies of any booklet may be obtained free by writing to: USAEC, P. O. BOX 62, OAK RIDGE, TENNESSEE 37830 Requests for more than three titles generally can not be honored. Complete sets of the series are available to school and public librarians, and to teachers who can make them available for reference or for use by groups. Requests should be made on school or library letterheads and indicate the proposed use. Students and teachers who need publications on specific topics related to nuclear science, or references to other reading material, may also write to the Oak Ridge address. Requests should state the topic of interest exactly, and the use intended. IMPORTANT: All requests should include the “Zip Code” in the address to which the material is to be mailed. Printed in the United States of America USAEC Division of Technical Information Extension, Oak Ridge, Tennessee September 1966