Joint Task Task Group Washington 7 Necenbder Operation Plan CTG 7.3 No. 1-53 Force SEVEN 7.3 25, LC. Ce 1953, 1200R Appendix II to Annex G Hazards Resulting from Atomic Bomb Explosions 1. Nature of Hazards a. When an atomic womb explosion occurs, tremendous quantities of energy in a variety eof forms are released. This energy is propagated out— ward in all directions, ». The immediate reaction is intense emission of ultraviolet, visible and infrared (heat) radiation, gamma rays and neutrons, This is accom panied by the formation of a large ball of fire. A large part of the energy from the explosion is emitted as a shock wave, The ball of fire produces a mushroom-shapped masa of hot gases, the top of which rises rapidly. In the trail below the mshroom cap, a thin column is left. The cloud and column are then carried downwind, the direction and speed being determined by the direction and speed of the wind at the various levels of air from the surface to base of mushroom cap. Part of the energy frem the exposion results in an ocean surface wave which is considered of minor nature directly to the Task Force. c. All personnel of the Task Force will be well outside of the range of all hazards at the time of detonation, except for the light from the fire ball. The light of expiesion is so intense that permanent injury to the eye may result from viewing the ball of fire at close range with the naked eye or through binoculars, Ordinary dark glasses will not suffice and all personnel who do not have the special protective glasses, which will be issued in limited numbers by CTG 7.1, must be facing 18¢ degrees from the detonation with the eyes closed. ad. The emission of dsmgerious nuclear radiation can be separated into two time periods. The primary radiation which occurs at the time of the flash is compesed of gamma rays and neutrons. Casualties may result from this primary radiation if the exposure eccurs within a certain range of ground zero, Secondary radiation is due to activat’. on of the soil ground zero and to fall-out. arcnurd e. Following the detonation, personnel entering shot areas will be exposed to beta particles and gamma rays coming from induced neutron activity in the soil and/or water, andmy fission products which might have been deposited on the ground or in the water, There may also be a potential alpha particle hazard from the unfissioned fissionable materials which may be deposited on the ground or in the water, G-II-}