The Leak

“This is a must read especially for science writers, public relations people, and laboratory bureaucrats.”
—CHOICE

“Seven Nobel prizes have been awarded for work at Brookhaven National Laboratory in Upton, New York. Yet a leak of radioactive water from the facility turned its 50th anniversary in 1997 into a year of “chaos rather than celebration”, write philosopher of science Robert Crease — author of a history of the lab — and former Brookhaven physicist Peter Bond. Although the incident posed no health hazard, according to federal, state and local officials, it sparked a “firestorm” of activism and politics, captured in this vivid first-hand account.”
—Nature

“A fascinating, thought-provoking, and relevant study given the continuing ill-informed attacks on science and the resultant resistance to the use of science in determining public policy.”
— Midwest Book Review

“The book is well documented, with more than 500 references. If you have an open mind and an interest in science and public affairs, I’d say read it and draw your own conclusions.”
— The East Hampton Star

Robert P. Crease is Professor in and Chair of the Department of Philosophy at Stony Brook University, where he has taught for more than three decades. He is the author of The Great Equations, The Prism and the Pendulum, and other books. A contributor of op-eds, articles, and reviews to publications including the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal, he writes a monthly column for Physics World.

Peter Bond is a retired physicist who worked at Brookhaven National Laboratory for 43 years in a wide variety of roles, including interim laboratory director during much of the period covered by this book.

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