BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS

Journal Article · Fri Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1962 · Am. Scientist

OSTI ID:4664891

Comar, C L

A discussion is provided of various aspects of nuclear weapon testing and the resultant fallout, nature of fission products and extent of contamination of the biosphere, acute and longierm biologic effects of radiation, and rneans of controlling and reducing the hazards of fallout to man. The question as to whether diet or food technology should be modified to decrease the intake of radioactive contamination is considered, and it is concluded that it would be erroneous to supplement diets with stable Ca which theoretically reduces Sr retention, to give I drops to block thyroid uptake, or to reduce milk intake. It is suggested that the chance of harmful effects by such modification of diets far outweighs the chance of beneficial effects. It is suggested that without milk, the human body would contain three to five times more Sr/sup 90/ than at present due to Ca incorporation from plant sources. The question of whether or not consideration should be given to the decontamination of land and of foodstuffs is also reviewed, and possible remedial measures for decontamination of land are identified. General conclusions derived from the survey are: any use of nuclear energy or radiation involves a biological cost which must always be weighed against the benefits expected; controlled peacetime use of nuclear energy yields benefits far in excess of biological costs; the biological cost of past weapons tests of about 100--150 megatons of fission is small enough so that individuals need have no anxiety concerning health hazards; the factor of biological cost should be a minor one in reaching decisions about resumption of atmospheric weapons tests; other factors ---military, strategic, political, propaganda ---are much more important. (TCO)

• Research Organization: Cornell Univ., Ithaca, N.Y.
• NSA Number: NSA-17-036041
• OSTI ID: 4664891
• Journal Information: Am. Scientist, Journal Name: Am. Scientist Vol. Vol: 50
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ADSORPTION
ATMOSPHERE
BIOLOGY
BODY
CALCIUM
CONTAMINATION
DECONTAMINATION
DIET
FALLOUT
FISSION PRODUCTS
FOOD
HEALTH AND SAFETY
IODINE 131
MAN
MEASURED VALUES
NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS
PERFORMANCE
PLANTS
QUANTITY RATIO
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATION INJURIES
SOILS
STRONTIUM 90
THYROID