BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF A NUCLEAR ATTACK

Technical Report · Tue Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1959

OSTI ID:4232552

Dunning, G M

Presented at the Hearings on the Biological and Environmental Effects of Nuclear War, before the Special Subcommittee on Radiation, Joint Committee on Atomic Energy. The biological effects on man of a nuclear attack were calculated based on an assumed attack of 1453 megaton total yield on the United States, one- half of the total yield being fission and one-half fusion and all surface bursts. An area having an assumed fall-out of two kiloton per square mile was selected for complete analysis. Both short-term and long-term hazards are summarized. It is pointed out that the dominant hazard from a nuclear attack would be casualties resulting from the blast, heat, immediate nuclear radiation, and early deaths from large radiation doses from the fallout. Long-term hazards include the production of leukemia and bone tumors by both external gamma exposure and internal emitters, especially those of strontium-90 and cesium-137, life shortening; and genetic effects. Anticipated long-term effects on the population are calculated. (C.H.)

• Research Organization: Division of Biology and Medicine. Radiation Effects of Weapons Branch, AEC
• NSA Number: NSA-13-018006
• OSTI ID: 4232552
• Report Number(s): TID-5563
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

BIOLOGY
BONES
CESIUM 137
FALLOUT
GENETICS
HAZARDS
HEALTH AND SAFETY
INFRARED RADIATION
LETHAL DOSE
LEUKEMIA
MAN
NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATIONS
RADIOACTIVITY
SAFETY
SHOCK WAVES
STRONTIUM 90
SURFACES
THERMONUCLEAR REACTIONS
TUMORS