Tragic Death of Louis Slotin: The Worst Radiation Accident in History

Explore the tragic story of Louis Slotin, who died from acute radiation syndrome after a historic lab accident in 1946.

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Louis Slotin died from the worst radiation in history during a laboratory accident on May 21, 1946. Slotin, a physicist, was conducting an experiment with plutonium when a slip caused critical radiation exposure. He succumbed to acute radiation syndrome after nine days.

FAQs & Answers

  1. What caused Louis Slotin's radiation exposure? Louis Slotin's radiation exposure was caused by a critical slip during an experiment with plutonium.
  2. What are the effects of acute radiation syndrome? Acute radiation syndrome can cause symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and ultimately can lead to death, depending on radiation dosage.
  3. When did Louis Slotin's accident occur? The accident occurred on May 21, 1946.
  4. What lessons were learned from Slotin's accident? Slotin's accident highlighted the importance of safety protocols in handling radioactive materials.