=~ 2m
While miny poeple were willing, prior to 195i, to let the menery of
the effects of the atenle bam on the peoples of Hiroshima and Nagaeaxd grow dim with the passage of time, and thonghtes of 2 possible
fubure war involving atenie weapens teck on a nore and more hypotheti-
cal cast, the fact that Japaneses fishermen and the Marshall Island
natives some 100 wiles from the dstenation of a large test device on
Hareh 1, 195) received sufficient fallout to cause skin burns and clear
out effects on the bleood-forwing organs ence again suggested the
possible horrors of a nuclear war.
What captured{he inagimtion was the realisation that in addition
to yadiation, blast and thermal effects at the site of a negaton burst ,
whole cities dannmind might be involved with purely radiation effects
with no fires, no falling buildings, no traumatic injuries at all,
This sencern is enhanced as it has becase apparent that there could be
& long-term hasard as wall,
In addition to delayed effects froa in-
creaeed radiation exposure at the time of the bombing some of the fall-
outs waterial remains radioactive for years and could thus constitute a
continuing hasard,
Also inherent in current discussions of fallout is the matter of
whether or not the United States shonld attempt to build optimal capability in the use of nuclear weapons in the event of war and even as a
deterrent to war.
Ome of the difficulties in discussing fallout is that of achieving
objectivity.
The subject has became intimately involved in many