UNCLASSIFIED
*
t
ce
Ww caission te wcrous nuclear radiation can be separated into tio
time periods.
The primary radiection which occurs at the tiow of the flash is
composed of grama rays and nvutrons.
This flash exposure is very short.”
Casualtios may result from this primary radiation if the exposure occurs
withia 2500 yards of sero.
he.
Tho neutrons may cruate a secondary or residual hasard by including
radioactivity in certain ulements within the range of approximately 1000 yrrus,
As a result, objects in the arwa near the point of detonation aay becom
radioactinw and herardous to personnyl.
Siatlorly, the salt water nearby aay
Present s weterbdome hasard.
fe
Another and usually sore important source of residual radioactivity
is the radioactive Mission products.
Theso will bo deposited on the ground
hear the point of detonation or they will be carried aloft in the doaab cloud.
Most of these fission products in the cloud arc carried to 20,0 to 50,000
feet, become greatly diluted, and are dispersed domwind.
particulate matter falls out.
cradually the
This “fall-out” of radiosctin material may
sut up localised danger arvas.
It appwars unlikely that them would be any
significant hazard from this airborne contamination at s distance of mor than
100 nautleal miles fram tho center.
2. FRoTectiow
a.
fgainst the primary uffects, distance will provida the best
protcetion.
b.
For thy protection of thy vyes against excessive light, special goggles
are required for personnel within fiftcen (15) nautical milus of the flash if
looking at tt.
At thie distame the light may be of such intensity as to te
painful to the unprotected cye, producing an immediate temporary blinding,
lasting for a half hour or scrv.
It must be rumatened that the sunlight will
be much luss than at Bikini, and therefore the pupil of the eyo will be dilatod, necessitating greater protection for the eyes.
The heat of the flash ts
felt on the bare skin out to at least fifteen (15) miles.
Ce
Against the secondary radioactivity hasards froa radioactive “sston
products, induced radioactivity, and unfisstioned residus, detection and
avoidance prowide the best protection.
This is the basis of the Radiological
--
.