COBALT-60 BOMBS

Journal Article · Sat Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1960 · Health Physics (England)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1097/00004032-196004000-00008· OSTI ID:4116103

Dunning, G M

Based on stated assumptions. the ratio of potential external energy releases from fission products in local fall-out compared to the Co/sup 60/ that may be produced can vary from a factor of 40. based on an exposure period from 1 hr to 1 month after a detonation. to 0.17 based on an exposure period from the twenty-fourth hour to 35 years. It is concluded that other factors. i.e.. fission yields and position of firing. would be more critical in determining the external hazard than the added Co/sup 60/. One megaton (total yield) detonated in the air might create enough Co/sup 60/ to produce a theoretical total dose of 0.17 r in the most heavily contaminated band of the earth (30 to 60/sup o/ north latitude). with weathering and shielding effects reducing this by as much as a factor of 10. Decontamination measures could reduce this dose further. Other doses may be calculated as a linear function of the tonnage assumed; thus the estimated doses could be significant in long-term effects but not lethal in the sense of wiping out a worldwide population. Mathematically an ever higher and higher assumed tonnage and Co/sup 60/ production can be achieved until a lethal range is reached. (auth)

• Research Organization: U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, Washington, D.C.
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-15-004185
• OSTI ID: 4116103
• Journal Information: Health Physics (England), Journal Name: Health Physics (England) Vol. Vol: 4; ISSN HLTPA
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

AIR
COBALT 60
CONTAMINATION
DECONTAMINATION
EFFICIENCY
FALLOUT
FISSION PRODUCTS
GAMMA RADIATION
GEOPHYSICS
HALF-LIFE
HEALTH AND SAFETY
LETHAL DOSE
MATHEMATICS
METEOROLOGY
NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS
POPULATIONS
QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION EFFECTS
SHIELDING
ZONES