The buzz around HBO acclaimed series Chernobyl demonstrates that nuclear accidents continue to capture the public imagination. But while the effects of exposure to high doses of radiation are shockingly clear, we are much less certain about the long-term impacts of low-level radiation, whether from accidents, occupational or medical exposures. Epidemiologist Richard Wakeford speaks to Physics World‘s James Dacey about the legacy of the Chernobyl and Fukushima accidents, and the challenges of picking out radiation effects from the multitude of other causes.