~- RETYPED COPY -HEADQUARTERS, Joint Task Force SEVEN Washington 25, D.C. 10 November 1953 Appendix III to Annex N Radiological Safety CJTF SEVEN Operational Plan No. 3-53 HAZARDS RESULTING FROM ATOMIC BOMB EXPLOSIONS 1 11 A wt tae caNAMThPN =OORGE OF NPSINY PTI: CRU " Nature of Hazards a. When an atomic bomb explosion occurs, tremendous quantities of energy in a variety of forms are released. This energy is propagated outward in all directions. b. The immediate reaction is intense emission of ultraviolet, visible and infrared (heat) radiation, gamma rays and neutrons. This is ac~ companied 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 shaped mass of hot gas, the top of which rises rapidly. In the trail below the mushroom 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 from the explosion results in an ocean surface wave which is considered of minor nature directly to the task force. c. All personnél of the task force will be well outside of the range of all hazard at the time of detonation, except for the light from the fire ball. The light of explosion 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 TG 7.1, must be facing 180 degrees from the detonation with the eyes closed. d. The emission of dangerous nuclear radiation can be separated into two time periods. The primary radiation which occurs at the time of the flash is composed of gamma rays and neutrons. Casualties may result from this primary radiation if the exposure occurs within a certain range of ground zero. Secondary radiation is due to the activation of the soil around ground zero and to fall-out. 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 any fission products which might have been deposited on the ground. There may also be a potential alpha particle hazard from the unfissioned fissionable materials which may be deposited on the ground. 462