RMI Nuclear Justice Documents

0 Or gb - NO enteorminiioeSATIN SUBJECT: Biomedical Air Blast Injuries, Direct OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of direct air klast on animals. TEST PROCEDURE: A number of different methods for exposure of animals have been attempted including simple meah cages, sliding‘cages, open end aluminum cylinders, and foxholes.- The various methoés, with the exception of foxholes, were designed so as to shield the animals f@m secondary blast effects (missiles), thermal radia- tion and some of the nuclear radiation. have been entirely satisfactory. STATUS OF KNOWLEDGE: None of the containers The complex problem of effects of direct blast resulting from atomic detonation has not been solved; however, based on direct physical measurements of blast, extensive laboratory high explo~ sive studies, some human experience during the bomsing of London during World War II and the work done in Europe during the last ten years, it is generally agreed that direct blast is not an important cause of atomic weapons casualty production. Under unusual circumstances, i.e. certain types of shelters, direct blast might be the primary cause of casualties. Zuckerman states that the lethal blast range for humans exposed to HE detonations is in excess of 350 psi although some of the above data suggest that the longer blast duration of ABD blast waves may have a different effect. Anatomical damage can be done at much lower psi levels. The range of damage to eardrums -is in the order of seven to twelve psi. Minute internal hemor- rhages especially in the lungs and gas containing abdominal viscera may appear at pressures in excess of 10 psi, Humans exposed to ten to twelve psi in foxholes at UPSHOT-KNOTHOLE noted no ill effects, Physical measurements of direct blast pressures following atomic detonation clearly demonstrate that fatal overpressures occur only in the areas where either the nuclear radiation or the thermal radiation will also insure fatality. CONCLUSIONS : Direct blast is not important as a casualty producing agent except under very unusual circumstances. For military purposes, the effects of direct blast of atomic weapons on personnel can be ignored. Casualties from blast effects result from indirect effects, i.e. missiles or bodily displacement by the blast wave, RECOMMENDA TIONS: No further experimental work on the effects of direct blast as related to an atomic detonation is required, Special shelter experiments are being carried out by other agencies and should be followed as they may lead to basic information of value. | Incl #1 UY