First ed. published under title: Unlocking the atom. Includes glossary

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Nuclear technology at the crossroads -- Splitting the atom -- Radiation everywhere -- Biological effects of radiation -- Electricity and an impending energy crisis -- CANDU: the Canadian reactor -- Global nuclear picture -- Safety: the prime imperative -- Nuclear power and the environment -- High-level nuclear waste -- Nuclear medicine -- Nuclear technology in industry and science -- Uranium: the nuclear fuel -- Fission future -- Fusion: the energy of the future? -- Research: the path forward.