Louise Reiss

Louise Reiss (January 4, 1920 – January 1, 2011) was an American physician and scientist renowned for her pivotal role in the Baby Tooth Survey, a landmark study that demonstrated the global spread of nuclear fallout and helped advance the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.

Early Life and Education[edit | edit source]

Louise Reiss was born in Des Moines, Iowa, and pursued her education in the field of medicine due to her keen interest in science and public health. She earned her medical degree from the University of Chicago in the late 1940s, a time when the field was predominantly male-dominated. Her early career was marked by a dedication to pediatrics and public health, which would later influence her involvement in nuclear fallout research.

Career and the Baby Tooth Survey[edit | edit source]

In the late 1950s, amidst the Cold War and the escalating nuclear arms race, Reiss became involved in the Baby Tooth Survey, a project initiated by the Greater St. Louis Citizens' Committee for Nuclear Information, alongside her husband, Eric Reiss, a physician, and other concerned scientists such as Barry Commoner. The survey aimed to collect baby teeth from children living in the St. Louis area to measure levels of Strontium-90, a radioactive isotope that is a byproduct of nuclear explosions and which accumulates in bones and teeth.

The findings of the Baby Tooth Survey, which analyzed over 320,000 teeth, were groundbreaking. They provided concrete evidence that nuclear fallout from bomb tests was entering the food chain and being absorbed by human bodies, including those of children. This evidence was instrumental in the public and scientific discourse around the effects of nuclear testing, contributing significantly to the establishment of the 1963 Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, which prohibited all test detonations of nuclear weapons except for those conducted underground.

Legacy[edit | edit source]

Louise Reiss's work on the Baby Tooth Survey not only showcased the potential health impacts of nuclear fallout but also demonstrated the power of citizen science in influencing policy and international agreements. Her efforts were recognized as a crucial contribution to environmental science, public health, and the global movement towards nuclear disarmament.

Following her work on the Baby Tooth Survey, Reiss continued to advocate for public health issues and the peaceful use of nuclear energy. She served in various capacities, including roles in medical education and public health organizations.

Death[edit | edit source]

Louise Reiss passed away on January 1, 2011, just days shy of her 91st birthday. Her legacy lives on through the continued efforts towards nuclear disarmament and the promotion of global public health.