An essential reference for journalists, activists, and students, this book presents scientifically accurate and accessible overviews of twenty-four of the most important issues in the nuclear realm, including: health effects, nuclear safety and engineering, Three Mile Island and Chernobyl, nuclear medicine, food irradiation, transport of nuclear materials, spent fuel, nuclear weapons, and global warming. Each 'brief' is based on interviews with named scientists, engineers, or administrators in a nuclear specialty, and each has been reviewed by a team of independent experts. The objective is not to make a case for or against nuclear-related technologies, but rather to provide definitive background information. (The approach is based on that of ""The Reporter's Environmental Handbook"", published in 1988, which won a special award for journalism from the Sigma Delta Chi Society of professional journalists.) Other features of the book include: a glossary of hundreds of terms; an introduction to risk assessment; environmental and economic impacts, and public perceptions; an article by an experienced reporter with recommendations about how to cover nuclear issues; quick guides to the history of nuclear power in the United States, important federal legislation and regulations, nuclear position statements, and key organizations; and, references for print and electronic resources.

An essential reference for journalists, activists, and students, this book presents scientifically accurate and accessible overviews of twenty-four of the most important issues in the nuclear realm, including: health effects, nuclear safety and engineering, Three Mile Island and Chernobyl, nuclear medicine, food irradiation, transport of nuclear materials, spent fuel, nuclear weapons, and global warming. Each 'brief' is based on interviews with named scientists, engineers, or administrators in a nuclear specialty, and each has been reviewed by a team of independent experts. The objective is not to make a case for or against nuclear-related technologies, but rather to provide definitive background information. (The approach is based on that of ""The Reporter's Environmental Handbook"", published in 1988, which won a special award for journalism from the Sigma Delta Chi Society of professional journalists.) Other features of the book include: a glossary of hundreds of terms; an introduction to risk assessment; environmental and economic impacts, and public perceptions; an article by an experienced reporter with recommendations about how to cover nuclear issues; quick guides to the history of nuclear power in the United States, important federal legislation and regulations, nuclear position statements, and key organizations; and, references for print and electronic resources.

"This work offers journalists a guide to the environmental beat, with a summary of the technical aspects of selected environmental topics. . . . The authors, almost all from government, academia, and consulting groups in New Jersey, have produced a valuable tool."-Choice "The Reporter's Environmental Handbook is an excellent quick reference book for reporters and editors under deadline pressure. It contains a short background chapter on every imaginable kind of risk situation. It is a very useful guide for journalists reporting on environmental issues."-Teya Ryan, executive vice president and general manager of CNN, U.S. " An] indispensable book for any journalist, student, or informed lay person who needs to understand and communicate environmental risks."-Bernard D. Goldstein, M.D., dean, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health "A valuable tool for print and broadcast journalists reporting on the major environmental hazards of this new century. Every news organization ought to have this book in easy reach for their reporters and editors."-Jerome Aumente, distinguished professor emeritus and founding director, Journalism Resources Institute, Rutgers University When an environmental news story breaks, the first place to turn for background on the issue is The Reporter's Environmental Handbook, now available in an updated and expanded third edition. Here, journalists can find the fast facts they need to accurately cover complex and controversial environmental stories ranging from indoor and outdoor air quality to sprawl and bioterrorism. Bernadette M. West is an assistant professor at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey School of Public Health (UMDNJ-SPH). M. Jane Lewis is an assistant professor at UMDNJ-SPH and a member of the Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute. Michael R. Greenberg is a professor and associate dean of the faculty of the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University. He recently served on a National Academy of Sciences committee that oversees the destruction of the U.S. chemical weapons stockpile. David B. Sachsman is the George R. West, Jr. Chair of Excellence in Communication and Public Affairs at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and a member of the Society of Environmental Journalists. Renee M. Rogers is an environmental consultant specializing in human health risk assessment.