In the Washington Post's Wonkblog I lay out the health effects of nuclear tests, which can last for decades. In particular, papers have emerged recently examining the health impacts of nuclear accidents, for example, as well as legal changes that came with the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The article also pays homage to Russian physicist Andrei Sakharov, the father of the Soviet hydrogen bomb, who eventually fought for human rights in the former Soviet Union. 

Excerpt:

“Exposure to nuclear radiation during months three and four of pregnancy was associated with reduced educational attainment, high school completion, and adult earnings. Such exposures were also associated with reduced IQ scores among boys at 18 years of age. A one standard deviation increase in ground exposure reduced high school completion by about 1 percentage-point among men, and by about 2 percentage points among women.”

Read the full article here