26

WOREDWIDE EFFECTS OF ATOMIC WEAPONS

DISTRIBUTION OF RADIOACTIVE DEBRIS

It cannot be emphasized too strongly that atmospheric motions are
extremely variable and erratic processes. In any given situation it ts possible to have a type of motion vastly different from the case given above.
If it were desired to get representative statistical samples of the effect of
the atmosphere on the bomb debris, it would be necessary to have many
more tests than have been made and to have them in many points of the
world. It would be surprising if the number of bombs exploded to date
gave a statistically reliable distribution of the debris. It appears that the
only way a useful purpose could be served by analyzing concentrations of
debris from the existing tests is to relate them to atmospheric motions and

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materials may exist in the oceans and in the upper atmosphere, which may

reduce greatly the probability that such materials become incorporated in
the biochemistry of living organisms, including man.
From the fallout measurements taken after TUMBLER/SNAPPER and
Ivy, it is possible to pet some rough ideas concerning the distribution of
fallout in the United States and worldwide from explosions in Nevada
and at Eniwetok. These data are summarized in Table. 2. If these results
are taken as representative of distributions from the twotestsites, and

if the TUMBLER/SNAPPER measurements are used as a calibration for the
average fraction of the actual fallout retained by gummed papers,” a
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Also, from the study of available data, important gaps in our knowl-

edge are indicated that require additional study and experimentation for

their clarification.

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then to extrapolate the results by the use of atmospheric data.

While the quantity of materials produced in an atomic explosion can be
calculated for any following time period, if the yield is known, the biological hazards to be expected will depend strongly on the distribution of
the materials over the earth-as a result of fallout, scavenging by precipitation, etc.—and the subsequent chain of events by which such materials may get fixed in the human body. Also, reservoirs for the radioactive

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