SUVJECT:
ONMFCTIVE:
Radiological Hazards From An ABD, A'pha, Beta, and Gamma Radiation
To determine the nuclear radiation hazards from an atomic
detonation including both internal and external hazards.
PROCEDURES: The primary oojective of field tests has been to study phenomeno-
logy as it occurs following @ bomb detonation so that suitable
radiation sources could be developed and evaluated for use in the
laboratory. Bionedical procedures have been closely coordinated
with applicable physical measurements of the radiation pereameters.
Jn addition to actual exposure of biological specimens, where
correlations of lethality and various organ system responses with
physical measurements were made,phantom studies were done to
evaluate the importance of depth dosage. These tests were carried
out under conditions of varying weapon designs and yields.
Mxtersive pathological examination of the exposed animals,
including serial sacrifice studies, were performed to obtain a
better basic understanding of the radiation syndrome.
Internal hazards vere evaluated when suitable conditions vere
available. The internal hazard problem has been compared to
existing animal data derived from laboratory experiments and a
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limited number of human accidental exposures.
So
The Japanese data kas veen thoroughly analyzed and in the past
year additional whole body radiation of humans has been
acconplished in conjunction with therapeutic radistion problems,
Protective shelters and personal equipment, including ges rasks,
collective protectors and clothing have been tested in the field.
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STATUS OF
KNOWLEBCE:
A.
External Radiation
l.
Gamma
a. Acute effects; The mechanism of action of radiation
4s unknown, Thespectrum of the prompt and the residual radia-
tion is still largely urknown, but comparison of effects in
the field to those produced ty laboratory radiation sources allows
us to make reasonable assumptions regarding possible effects.
Operational military tolerances have been established,
Recent human whole body studies in the leboratory have verified
the tolerances in the range of 0-150 roentgens, In the mid-lethal
and lethal range, the dosages for man are not vell established.
Due to biological :variation, the lethal dosage for a given
individual -
INCLOSUIRE Mo. &.
ae