EPFECTS OF TONIT'NG RADIATION
did not refill,
[In one instance, an extensive,
raw, weeping ulcer developed for which penicillin was given for two days. During this
time the lesion developed healthy granulation
tissue. Some of the lesions of the skin of the
foot remained thickened and less pliable after
desquamation. This was reheved by the use
of vaseline or cocoa butter to soften the tis-
sues.
The one persistent ear lesion did) not
heal after desquamation, This was treated
daly with warm boric acid compresses and
washing: with surgical soap to remove the
eschar. Slowly, regenerating epithelium grew
in foom the edyes of the ulcer.
Upon reexam-
ination, 6 months after exposure, healing was
complete with a depigmented scar remaining
as eVidence of the previous uleoration.
3.5
3.51
Factors Influencing Severity of
the Lesions
Character of the Fallouc Marerial
This material was composed mainly of calcn oxide from the imemerated coral, with
adherent fission products. Fifty to eqrhts percentof the beta rays emanating from this material durin the exposure period had an avernye energy of about 100 kev. Since 8) m-
eros of tissue produces od percent attenuation
of such radiation (1), a greater portion of
energy was dissipated in the epidernus which
ix roughly 40 to 70 microns in thickness. The
remaining 20 fo 60 percent of the beta rays had
an average energy of approximately 600 kev.
A
The latter sould penetrate well into the dermis
stipe it takes S00 guerons of tissue to produce
A) percent attenuation of this energy radiation
(12).
In addition, a wide spectrum of
yaintin energies irradiated the skin. The
ganitna contribution to the skin was small
compared to the beta dose and is discussed in
Chapter EF.
3.52
Dose co che Skin
2 omargre er
ointment, with apparent succes Whe the
epithelium was deaquamating, all lesions were
treated by claily washing with soap and water
followed by the appheation of a water soluble
vanishing type omtment which kept the in
jured skin soft and pliable. Raw areas, which
became secondarily infected, were cleansed
with soap and aureomycin ointment: was applied. Bullous lesions of the feet were left intact ax long as no syniptoms were present. If
painful, the fluid was aspirated with sterile
technique and a pressure dressing applied. A
single aspiration was adequate since the bullae
rs,
,
M
The skin lesions obyerved resulted primarily
from beta radiation from fallout material de-
posited on the skin. The gamma dose to the
skin was small compared to the beta dose, and
thus relatively unimportant in producing the
lestons, The summation of gamma and beta
contributions to the skin is considered in Section 1.3. In general it is evident that skin injury was largely produced by material in contact with the skin. The total surface dose cannot be calculated with accuracy but minimal
and maximal values at various depths in the
skin can be estimated biologically.
Hair fol-
lieles in the areas in which eptiation occurred
Inust have received xa doge in excess of the
known minimal epilating dose of about 400 r
for 200 kvp X-ray. Since regrowth of hair occurred, the upper lint of dose at the depth of
the har follicle must not have exceeded the permanent epilating dose of around 700 r of 200
avp M-ray 63).
From this a rough idea
of surface dose may be made. .A dose to the
haw follicles comparable to 400-00 r of Xradiation must have been due almost entirely
to the more penetrating beta component (avernyre energy, 600 kev). Therefore, the minimal
surface dose in rep from this component alone
was probably four to tive times the dose at the
hair follele. 1 e., roughly 1,600-3,500 rep.
The soft component (average energy, 100 kev)
contribated a considerably larger share to the
surface dose but with only slight penetration.
3.53
Protective Factors
The following factors provided some protection: