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Nuclear hazards - a flash of insight

USMC News

Story by Sgt. Frank R. Santiago
Story Identification Number: 2003214171027

MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO, Calif.(February 14, 2003) -- With the recent build up of service members in the Middle East, it is important for military members to be educated on what they should do in case of a nuclear, biological or chemical attack.

This is the final part of a three part series on NBC hazards emphasizing the history, creation and symptoms of exposure to such agents.

The world entered the atomic age on Dec. 2, 1942, at 3:25 p.m. when a team of scientists, led by Enrico Fermi were the first in history to initiate a self sustaining nuclear chain reaction and control it.

At that time the world was at war, Hitler was on the move and many scientists around the world were working toward the possibility of building a bomb of tremendous power utilizing the fissioning of uranium.

Under the supervision of Brig. Gen. Leslie R. Groves and Robert Oppenheimer, the United States started their own research and development project known as the Manhattan Project.

On July 16, 1945, in the New Mexico desert known as Journada del Muerto (The Journey of Death), the Manhattan engineer district succeeded in producing and detonating the first atomic bomb. vOn Aug. 6, 1945, the first atomic bomb was used in an offensive role when dropped on Hiroshima, Japan. Three days later, a second atomic bomb was used on Nagasaki, Japan. The war ended with the emperor's announcement to the Japanese people on Aug. 15,1945.

Nuclear weapons have devastating effects and cause casualties, destroy or disable equipment, restrict the use of terrain, and disrupt operations.

The exposure of the human body to nuclear radiation causes damage to the cells in all parts of the body. This damage is the cause of "radiation sickness." The severity of this sickness depends on the radiation dose received, the length of exposure and the condition of the body at the time.

The early symptoms of radiation sickness will usually appear 1 - 6 hours after exposure and include headache, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. There is no first aid for exposure to nuclear radiation.

There are four main characteristics of a nuclear explosion: Nuclear Blast (an intense shock wave), Thermal Radiation (heat and light), Nuclear Radiation (radioactive material), and EMP (electrical power surge).

BLAST

The blast produces an intense shock wave and high winds that create flying debris. It may collapse structures, shelters, fighting positions, topple vehicles and disable planes in flight. The blast can crush sealed or partly sealed objects like food cans, barrels, and fuel tanks. Rubble from buildings being knocked down can bury supplies and equipment.

THERMAL RADIATION

This radiation causes burns on skin and starts fires. The bright flash at the time of the explosion can cause a temporary loss of vision or permanent eye damage if you look at the explosion, especially at night. The heat from the radiation can ignite dry wood, fuel and other flammable material.

NUCLEAR RADIATION

This radiation can cause casualties and delay movements. It may last for days and cover large areas of terrain. The radiation can also contaminate food and water. It occurs in two stages: initial and residual.

Initial radiation is emitted directly from the fireball in the first minute after the explosion. It travels at the speed of light along straight lines and has high penetrating power.

Residual radiation lingers after the first minute. It comes from the radioactive material originally in a nuclear weapon or from material, such as soil and equipment, made radioactive by the nuclear explosion.

PROTECTION

The best protective measure for a nuclear blast and thermal radiation is to be as far away from the blast or burst as possible. If blast exposure is unpreventable, the steps for protection are to first duck and cover. Find cover behind a ditch or large concrete structure. Face the blast, cover the head with the hands over the helmet and lay face down on the ground. Earth shielding or a lead structure are the best protection. For the nuclear radiation, distance and shielding help for the initial radiation, consisting of alpha and beta radiation. Residual nuclear radiation is commonly referred to as fallout and consists of particles dangerous to inhale or get on the skin. After a blast comes nuclear fallout containing residual radiation.

This radiation containing Gamma particles is dangerous to inhale and on the skin. Mission oriented protective posture (MOPP) gear will protect against exposure to alpha and beta particles.

Potassium Iodide (KI) pills is a treatment used on the thyroid for radiation exposure.

ELECTROMAGNETIC PULSE (EMP)

EMP is a massive surge of electrical power. It is created the instant a nuclear detonation occurs and is transmitted at the speed of light in all directions. It can damage solid-state components of electrical equipment (radios, radars, computers, vehicles) and weapon systems (tube-launched, optically tracked, wire-guided and Dragon missiles). Equipment can be protected by disconnecting it from its power source and placing it in or behind some type of shielding material (armored vehicle or dirt wall) out of the line of sight to the burst.

Information above was compiled from the following sources. The Nuclear History Site at www.nuclearhistory.tripod.com and Fleet Manual 21-75, Chapter 5, ww.aosafety.com.