Article: An Israeli high-tech company, StemRad, has developed a vest that can protect someone from dangerous radiation. It is the first product of its kind; until now, people exposed to gamma radiation died (like in Chernobyl's nuclear reactor accident, in which 28 firefighters died rescuing people). The science behind is it this: nuclear radiation kills bone marrow throughout the body, however 50% of one's bone marrow is around the waist. If radiation is stopped from reaching the waist, the rest of the body's bone marrow remains safe. Additionally, he vests are light, so firefighters won't have trouble moving around. They will still be able to operate their equipment and help evacuate people. Those involved in developing the vest include an Israeli professor of chemistry, who recently won a Nobel Prize, Michael Levitt. Already the German and Russian governments are looking to purchase the product. The vest costs $7000 and plans are to make it available to everyone.
Discussion:
- What is a recent nuclear disaster? (Japan)
- Why is radiation dangerous? How do you keep nuclear reactors from overheating (water)
- How will this vest save lives not only of firefighters but the public as well? (If firefighters can evacuate more people, more people will be saved)
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