Freaky Friday: Radiation as a weapon of mass benefaction

Radiation as a weapon of mass benefaction

By Arman Sarfehnia (Department of Medical Physics, MUHC McGill).

Radiation is everywhere. It is part of the construct of our world as we know it. Indeed since its discovery in 1895, our understanding of radiation as well as the nature of matter in general has improved substantially. We have learnt much about the interactions of ionizing radiation with matter, and as such have learnt to better control and harness a small portion of the energy carried by radiation. The applications of radiation are as wide as the myths surrounding it. In this lecture, we will discuss what radiation is, and we will look at a brief history of radiation, how it was discovered and what role it has played in our lives. The applications of radiation in diagnostic radiology and radiation oncology will be discussed, and a brief cost-benefit analysis for medical applications will be presented. Followed by Silkwood, the 1983 film about the real-life story of Karen Silkwood, a metallurgy worker at a plutonium processing plant.

Free, everyone welcome. Seating is limited. No reservations necessary.