Ingolf Bernhardt studied physics at the Lomonosov University in Moscow and specialised in the
field of biophysics. After successfully completing his studies he began his professional
career in the Institute of Biophysics at the Humboldt University in Berlin. He defended his
Ph.D. in 1981 and his D.Sc. (habilitation) in 1986. The main focus of his research was the
investigation of red blood cells in particular the ion transport across the membrane of these
cells. Ingolf Bernhardt was head of the isotope laboratory in the Institute of Biophysics for
several years and gave lectures in membrane biophysics as well as radiation biophysics. In 2000
he moved to Saarland University where he was working until his retirement in 2018. In the
Saarland University he was also running the Central Isotope Laboratory (Campus Saarbruecken)
and in addition was a biophysics group leader. In 2002 he received a professorship in
biophysics. The present book picks up topics of radiation research and is written in a popular
science style. It considers the effect of radioactive as well as non-radioactive radiation on
humans. It explains the naturally occurring as well as the man-made radiation exposure and
takes into consideration the accidents in Chernobyl and Fukushima. Other topics are the
radiation exposure in medicine radon in the environment and in domestic dwellings. Furthermore
the radioactive contamination of food is discussed. One chapter is a bit to smile it shows
radioactive products which were advertised in the past e.g. chocolate skin cream toothpaste
and others. Another focus is on non-radioactive high-frequency electromagnetic fields (e.g.
mobile phones) and their biological effects. Finally the effect of sound ultrasound and
infrasound is explained. The easy and fun-to-read book fascinates all readers who want to
understand the problems of radiation exposure of humans including the related aspects which
are controversially discussed these days.
