Joseph J. Mangano is a public health researcher and author who has dedicated his career to studying the health effects of radiation from nuclear power and weapons testing. Since 1989, he has served in leadership roles at the Radiation and Public Health Project (RPHP), where he currently directs groundbreaking studies and public outreach on nuclear-related health risks.
His research and advocacy have contributed to scientific literature, government hearings, and public awareness campaigns that highlight the impact of low-level radiation on communities.
Books
- Bombs, Reactors, and Baby Teeth (Missouri Historical Society Press, in press, 2026)
- Mad Science: The Nuclear Power Experiment (OR Books, 2012)
- Radioactive Baby Teeth: The Cancer Link (Lightning Source, 2008)
- Low-Level Radiation and Immune System Damage (CRC Press/Lewis, 1998)
Media & Public Engagement
- Conferences & Testimony
- Presented research at the Fukushima Medical Conference (New York Academy of Medicine, 2013)
- Provided testimony to over 20 government bodies, including the NRC, the National Press Club, and multiple state legislatures.
- Podcasts & Broadcasts
- Here’s the Thing with Alec Baldwin (June 3, 2021)
- Solartopia with Harvey Wasserman (multiple appearances, 2022)
- Nuclear Hotseat with Libbe Halevy (most recent: Nov. 20, 2024)
- Documentaries
- Fatal Fallout (2003)
- Silent Fallout: Baby Teeth Speak (2023, featured at 26 film festivals)
- Our Planet, The People, My Blood (to be released in 2026)
Selected Media Coverage
- The New York Times – “Study of Baby Teeth Sees Radiation Effects” (2010)
- St. Louis Post-Dispatch – “Baby Tooth Survey Helped Make Nuclear Test Ban a Reality” (2023)
Academic Contributions
Joe has authored or co-authored over 40 peer-reviewed medical journal articles, including studies in JAMA Network Open, Journal of Environmental Protection, and International Journal of Health Services. His work has been cited in scientific discussions about cancer, infant mortality, and environmental exposure to radiation.
