eee
8,
Radiological Nazard: The hazard from this contamination can be
divided into two classes, external and internal,
By external we mean
radioactivity which is harmful, when outside the body, This is almost
wholly due to gamma radiation, Beta radiation emitters collected on
the surface of the skin in large quantities can cause harm, however,
. we will not have that situation here on Eniwetok dua to our rersonnel
decontariination procedure, a procedure we will tell you about later,
.
9,
Internal Hazard: By internal hazard we moan the entry of radio-
active particles inside the body, “The radioactive particles which emit al-
pha and beta rays, are‘ very dangerous under this condition,
Therefore,
the rule provides for no eating or smoking, and the wearing of a dust
réspirator, or a gas mask when you are in a highly contaminated area,
10. Physiological Effects: ‘We will now briefly acquaint you with the
physiological effects of various dosages of radiation in order that you
will have proper respect for radiation, and yet, at the same time, dispel
unnecessary fear regarding it. We measure radiation in roentgens "r",
Think of this as a unit of radiation, something we can use as a measuring
stick,
By measuring the number of roentgens we know the amount of radiation
and consequently its probable effect on us.
li. The effects of radiation on an average man can roughly be summar=
ized as follows:
- ~
DOSAGE
EFFECT
25r -
No céffech
100r
“Yo noticcable effect (change
in blood count)
200r
L50r
“
:
|
50% got sick
Loo
650r
50% die’ :
00g die
“This table is based on total radiation received. in‘a short period of
‘time, If you were to get a ‘little bit of radiation now, and a little bit
later on, and then a Little’ bit after that, you could take a great deal
more than 200r before you become sick. As an example, it has been suggest—
ed that during an emergency an individual woud be allowed 100r as a sin-
gle dose, or 25r per week for @ weeks.
This sc.v3 tnat if spread over
this longer’ time the man may take twice tos’ quantity and have only the
same effect,
(Explain sterility, impotency, and that ic takes 600r to have
Ma
this effect and that it is fatal anyway).