THE CASE FOR CLEAN NUCLEAR WEAPONS
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All nuciear weapons of present design produce large amounts pf
radicactive debris « in the alr when alr burst, on the ground and in the
aly when ground burst. Human injury fram this debris is directly
proportional te the amount produced and absorbed.
Scientists disagree on the hasards imposed by nuciear tests. (They
agree that the debris and its human effects from nuclear war with present
weapons would be infinitely worse than tests. They disagree som
t
upon the ultimate world-wide injury from wartime nuclear debris, as
they do on the similar but jesser issue of teste. The moat pessimi
believe that the human race may be deformed or annihilated. Others are
more sanguine.
Even the most sanguine anticipate many casualties from
wartime radioactive debris in or near areas of conflict. No one knaws;
and the growing problem of world-wide contamination, even from pepcetal
uses and radioactive waste disposal, is a subject af increasing concern.
At this initlal stage of knowledge, it would be foolhardy to create
vast quantities of radioactive debris by nuclear war, despite the belief
of some scientists that its effects would be insignificant in comparigon
with the direct effects of such a war. As insurance for us and for
hurnanity against the possibility that the optimiets might be wrong, rr
would be wise to avoid this incompletely evaluated peril as best we can
- by avoiding nuclear war, if possible, and by using only clean weapons
if we cannot avoid it.
We depend increasingly upon nuclear weapons to oppose Russia;
yet our clean weapon capabilitics are still embryonic. The stockpil
contains none.
Without policy changes and continued tests there w
never be many because the military show little real interest in cl
weapons, and wholly clean ones cannot be developed if tests stop.
the other hand, given a high priority, continued tests should bring
advances in this field similar to the phenomenal progress achieved in
high yield weapons.
There are compelling reasons why all nuclear weapons should| be
basically clean. Some of the reasons for development of clean weapons
of all sizes are -
DECLASSIFIED
Authority
AiR 76-45, #13)
By AK/18NLE DATE ._Sltelgc
SESGRET
wena 8
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