CASUALTIES FROM NUCLEAR WEAPONS. II. THE RADIOACTIVE FALLOUT

Journal Article · Wed May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1963 · Med. Serv. J. (Can.)

OSTI ID:4086462

Pace, F C; Waters, W R

A survey of the origin, physical characteristics, and effects on man of fallout generated by thermonuclear weapon detonations indicates the following hazards to human populations surviving the initial phase of an attack: radiation injury from the flash-radiation will not be observed in surviving casualties; radioactive fallout will be the source of radiation injury among survivors; the overall hazard from fallout will be much more extensive in space than that from the immediate effects of blast and heat; fallout effects are subject to mitigation by simple means; the injuries caused by the fallout will be wholebody injury (the acute radiation syndrome) by highlypenetrating gamma rays, skin injury by the less penetrating BETA particles, and internal contamination by radioactive metabolites; and the biological effects will probably occur in this time-order. Clinical and pathologic effects of radiations from these external and internal sources are described in detail. Factors affecting the development severity of the acute radiation syndrome which are discussed, include: the quantity of gamma radiation to which the body is exposed; the time period over which the exposure occurs; the part or parts of the body exposed; the presence or absence of other injuries; adverse physiological states; and age. A model is presented representing a hypothetical atiack on Canada from which fallout doses in parts of various provinces are calculated, and attempts are made to evaluate doses expected to be encountered by rescue and rehabilitation personnel. A recommended outline of therapy is given. Decontamination of individuals and handling of contaminated casualties are discussed. (BBB)

• Research Organization: Dept. of National Health and Welfare, Ottawa
• NSA Number: NSA-18-014140
• OSTI ID: 4086462
• Journal Information: Med. Serv. J. (Can.), Journal Name: Med. Serv. J. (Can.) Vol. Vol: 19
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ACCIDENTS
AGE
BETA PARTICLES
BIOLOGY
BODY
CANADA
CONTAMINATION
DECONTAMINATION
DISEASES
ENERGY
EXPLOSIONS
FALLOUT
GAMMA RADIATION
HEALTH AND SAFETY
HIGH TEMPERATURE
LIGHT
MAN
METABOLISM
MOCKUP
NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS
NUMERICALS
PERSONNEL
PHYSIOLOGY
POPULATIONS
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATION INJURIES
RADIATION SICKNESS
REMOTE HANDLING
SHOCK WAVES
SKIN
SPACE