Induced radioactivity

Induced radioactivity
Theodore Sprague boils a glass of water at FBI Headquarters
Held by:	Theodore Sprague
Ability to:	Emit radiation
Examples of induced radioactivity

Induced radioactivity is the ability to emit radiation and/or induce radioactive properties into objects and people.

Characters

• Ted Sprague is the only character known to have this ability.
• The Engineer also has this ability in the unaired pilot, In His Own Image.

Limits

Ted has limited control over his ability to emit radiation. When agitated, he appears to emit radiation unintentionally. This radiation can be harmful to people in his vicinity. He seems to be able to emit radiation on purpose, but he apparently cannot consistently prevent himself from emitting radiation, especially if angry or injured. Keeping him calm seems to reduce his radioactive emissions.

The type of radiation that Ted emits isn't clear; he may be able to emit a broad spectrum of radiation.

At close range, Ted can produce enough radiation to bring a glass of water to a boil or melt a brass door lock in just a few seconds. His uncontrolled emissions can set fire to common construction materials from several meters away.

Ted appears to be unharmed by his own radioactive emissions. He caused the deaths of others (reducing people to skeletal remains) during at least two escapes, but never appeared affected himself. Whether this immunity applies to radiation from other sources is unknown.

Examples

• The Engineer demonstrates his power by making a glass of water boil in front of a group of terrorists intent on blowing up a large city. (In His Own Image)
• Ted's radiation production causes his wife to develop cancer. (Nothing to Hide, How Do You Stop an Exploding Man?, Part 1)
• Ted's home shows signs of high-intensity radiation exposure. (Nothing to Hide)
• Ted's powers sear fingerprints into Dr. Robert Fresco's charred bones. (Nothing to Hide)
• Ted causes radiation burns on a nurse's arm. (Nothing to Hide)
• While at FBI Headquarters, Ted causes a glass of water he is holding to boil. (Seven Minutes to Midnight)
• Ted escapes FBI custody by blowing up a vehicle. (Seven Minutes to Midnight, How Do You Stop an Exploding Man?, Part 1)
• Ted practices harnessing his powers by creating small explosions in each hand. (Godsend)
• Ted forces his way through liquid concrete. (How Do You Stop an Exploding Man?, Part 2)
• Ted causes much damage at the Pharmatech Industrial Building. (How Do You Stop an Exploding Man?, Part 2)
• Ted's power kills grass and plants around his wife's grave. (Unexpected)
• Ted melts a door lock to gain access to the Bennet home, burns Claire, and severely damages the house. (Company Man)

Gallery

• 
  Chandra Suresh's Genesis files contain a folder for induced radioactivity.
• 
  The Genesis files also contain information on radiation poisoning.
• 
  The Engineer demonstrates his power as a microcosm of an intended terrorist explosion plot.
• 
  Burned photos were found at the Spragues'.
• 
  Ted's power may have burned this keyboard.
• 
  Audrey and Matt find a badly damaged bedroom in Ted's home.
• 
  Ted's powers kill an oncologist.
• 
  Medical examiners test the radiation levels in Fresco's leg.
• 
  His foot is also charred beyond recognition.
• 
  Ted's powers cause his wife to develop cancer and die.
• 
  A hostage nurse gets burned.
• 
  Ted dramatically boils water.
• 
  Ted explodes a transport car, killing some FBI agents.
• 
  Ted uses his powers to escape Audrey and the FBI.
• 
  In a secluded cabin, Ted harnesses his power by making fireballs in his hands.
• 
  Ted's escape from an AWI leader was brought about by a massive explosion.
• 
  Ted's anger burns the Pharmatech Industrial Building walls.
• 
  Ted uses his ability to get revenge on a Pharmatech scientist.
• 
  Ted leaves Billings in flames.
• 
  At his wife's grave, Ted's powers cause the surrounding grass to wither and die.
• 
  Ted's hands glow with radiation.
• 
  Ted demonstrates the relaxing effects of small nuclear explosions.
• 
  Ted starts to lose control of his powers after being shot.