aT
mainly from suteriealdepessted divertty on
1) The medica) probleme in the inmmediete
vicinity of a kileton atomic weapon or 8
magaton boa will be essentially similar.
With the larger weapon, of course, the areas
of damage are much larger and, thus, the
mumbers of casesities with mechanical,
ww
thermal, or radiation injury are greatly increased,
) In addition, with large weapons, an area of
fallout can extend for thousands of square
miles beyond the range of thermal and blast
injury, resulting in gamma irradiation, beta
irradiation of the skin and a potential internal hazard in the absence of blast or
thermal injury. Serious fallout can occur
several hours after detonation and at considerable distances. At this late time, the
early, very steep fall in dose rate has already
occurred and the dose rate falls off at a much
slower rate. There may be adequate time
for countermessures and early evacuation
the shin, although beta rediation from the
ground, building, er even clothes may contribute to 2 smell degree. Than, shelter
within a building, covermg exposed skm
areas with clothing aad early skin and hair
decontamination would go far toward preventing this hasard.
5) Some degree of internal contamination will
occur in persons exposed to fallout. The
amounts deposited in the body, however,will
be relatively small.
no contribution to the acute medical picture
seen will resuit from this cause. It appears
also, although data are incomplete, that
litthe or no long-term hazard is likely to
result from this cause, particularily if
reasonable precautions are taken to avotd
excessive inhalation or ingestion of the ma-
terial. The acute medical problems in the
fallout area will be concerned principelly
with total-body gamma exposure ; some with
beta irradiation of the skin.
or other effective evasive action will reduce
by a large amount the total doae received.
The gamma radiation is by far the most
serious hazard in the fallout area. It is
penetrating, and exposure can result in the
same acute radiation injury observed in the
Japanese at Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
The
quantitative dose-eifect relationships may be
altered Lecause of dose rate and other differences bet ween the two types of exposure.
4) Reta radiation of the skin from fallout
definitely can be a problem in the absence of
lethal doses of associated gamma radiation.
Although late in appearing, the skin lesions
may be sufficiently serious to result in a
“casualty”. Of equal importance, however,
ix the consideration of the effectiveness of
rather simple countermeasures in preventing
the lesions. The lesions apparently result
It appeers certain that
References
. Straum L. 1. A Statement by Chairman and a
Report by the U. %. Atomic Brergy Commiasion on
“The Effects of Hizh Yietd Nurtear Explosions”,
February 15, 1955.
Libby, W. FP. Address on radioactive fallont to 4th
Annual Coaference of U. 8. Civil Defense Coancil,
Toston, Mam.
i. Linby, Wo
PF
of Mayors.
4. Libby. WP.
J) Seq. 190M.
Addrem to Washington Conference
Der. 11*>4.
Addrew in Chicago, Jume 3, 1965,
The effecta of atumic weapons, Mapertintendent of
Docuweata, U. 8. Government Priatiag Offlee, 190.
Oughtersue, A. W.. and Warren, 4.: Medica! effects
of the atogale bomb in Japan.
Inc., New York. 1956.
McGraw-Hill Book,
. Handbowk of Atomic Weapona for Mesiteas (ficers,
Prepared by the Arnel Poree< Medical Policy
Conpetl for the Arms, Navy and Air Foree. Jane,
1841.
. Tasior,
FT Radiac instrumentation. 4. Bri
faetre, 29, 115-3, 16d.