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HEADQUARTERS, Joint “ask Force SEVEN

Washington 25, F.C.

10 Koverber 1953

Appendix IZ to Annex
Hadiol-gical Safety, CuTF SEVEN Operation Plan No. 3- $3
EAZARDS RESULTING FROM ATOMIC BOMB EXPLOSIONS
1.

Nature of Hazards
a,

Wren an atomic bomb explosion occurs, trenandous quantities of

energy .n @ variety of forms are released.
ted curverd in all directions.

This energy 38 prepaza-

b. The rzmediate reaction is intense emigsicn 2f ultraviolet, visible sr! infrared (heat) radiation, gamna rays end neutrons, This

38 Acccacanzed by the formation of a large tail cf fire.

A larce

par’ of the energy from the explosion is emitted as a shock wave.
The ball of fire preduces a mushroou~shaped mass «af het gasses, the
tep of waich riseg rapidly. In the trail below tne mushroom cap, a
thin eclumn is left. The cloud and cclumm are then carried downw:nj,
the direction and speed being determined by the direction and speed
of the wind at the various levels of air from tne surface to base of
mushrocr ¢ap
Part cf the energy from the expissicn results in an
ocean surface wave which is considered of minor roture directly te
the task forse,
¢.

All verscnnel of the task force will be well outside of the

range cf all hazard at the time of detonation, excert for the lignt

frem the fire ball. The light of explosion is se intense that permanent insury to the eve may result from viewing the ball of fire at
close range with the naked eve or through binoculars. Ordinary dark
glasses will not suffice and all personnel who do not have the special pretestive glasses, which will be issued in limited numbers by
TG 7.1, must be facing 180 degrees from the deternaticn with the eyes
closed.
d, Tue emassien of dangerous nuclear radiation can be separated
into two time periods. The primary radiation which occurs at the
tine of the flash 1s compesed of gamma rays and neutrons. Casual~

ties may result from thao crimary radiation 1° the exposure occurs
within a certain range of ground zerc. Secondary radiation is due
ts xct.vation of the soi] around ground zero and to fall-out.

e.

Follewing the detcnation, personnel entering shot areas will te

exposed to beta particles and gamma rays comir.g 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 aloha particle hazard from the unfissioned fissionable materials which may be
deposited on the ground.
Protection

‘

a. Against the primary radiological effects, distance will provide
protection.
b. Against the secondary radioactivity hazards from radioactive fission preducts, induced radioactivity and unfissioned residue, deter
tion and avcidance provide the best p:otection.

Suitable instruments

andicate both the presence and intensity of radioactivity at a given

place.

Area reconnaissance, the maintenance of contamination

N-ITI-1

Select target paragraph3