The effects are similar to the effect of a two-second flash from an enormous sunlamp. Since the thermal radiation travels at roughly the speed of light, the flash of light and heat precedes the blast wave by several seconds, just as lightning is seen before thunder is heard. The visible light will produce "flashblindness" in people who are looking in the direction of the explosion.
Flashblindness can last for several minutes, after which recovery is total. If the flash is focused through the lens of the eye, a permanent retinal burn will result. At Hiroshima and Nagasaki, there were many cases of flashblindness, but only one case of retinal burn, among the survivors. On the other hand, anyone flashblinded while driving a car could easiIy cause permanent injury to himself and to others.
Skin burns result from higher intensities of light, and therefore take place closer to the point of explosion. First-degree, second-degree and third-degree burns can occur at distances of five miles away from the blast or more. Third-degree burns over 24 percent of the body, or second-degree burns over 30 percent of the body, will result in serious shock, and will probably prove fatal unless prompt, specialized medical care is available.
The entire United States has facilities to treat 1, or 2, severe burn cases. A single nuclear weapon could produce more than 10, The thermal radiation from a nuclear explosion can directly ignite kindling materials. In general, ignitable materials outside the house, such as leaves or newspapers, are not surrounded by enough combustible material to generate a self-sustaining fire.
Fires more likely to spread are those caused by thermal radiation passing through windows to ignite beds and overstuffed furniture inside houses.
Another possible source of fires, which might be more damaging in urban areas, is indirect. Blast damage to Stores, water heaters, furnaces, electrical circuits or gas lines would ignite fires where fuel is plentiful.
Direct radiation occurs at the time of the explosion. It can be very intense, but its range is limited. For large nuclear weapons, the range of intense direct radiation is less than the range of lethal blast and thermal radiation effects. You should also cover any cuts or abrasions while you're rinsing off. For those without access to a shower, FEMA recommends using a sink or faucet. The next-best option is to clean your body with a wipe or wet cloth. Blowing your nose and wiping your ears and eyelids is also important, since debris could get stuck in these orifices.
Rinsing your hair with shampoo is critical after being exposed to radiation, but conditioner is a major no-no, according to the CDC. That's because conditioners carry compounds called cationic surfactants, which bind to radioactive particles and can trap them in your hair.
They'd essentially act like glue between your hair and radioactive material. As a general rule, it's best to only use products on your body that are designed to get rinsed off in the aftermath of a nuclear disaster. Items like body lotion and face cream should wait until a second or third wish. Read more: The US government warns people against using conditioner after a nuclear explosion.
It could trap radiation in your hair. Because outer layers of clothing would likely be contaminated by fallout, the CDC recommends sealing them in a plastic bag that's out of the reach of children and pets.
You should also seal off any tissues or cloths used to wipe your body or face. Following any kind of nuclear explosion, the CDC says it's all right to consume food from sealed containers such packages, bottles, or cans. You can also eat things from your pantry or refrigerator, as long as you wipe off food containers, cookware, counters, and utensils.
But anything that was left uncovered, especially if it was outdoors — such as fruits or veggies from a garden — would be unsafe to eat. Nuclear explosions produce a powerful phenomenon called a nuclear electromagnetic pulse EMP , an invisible burst of energy that can slash power, phone, and internet lines.
A nuclear EMP could also disrupt radio waves, but that's less likely, since radios have a simpler circuitry. So in the wake of an explosion, emergency-response officials will likely broadcast safety instructions over the radio. Unless these officials tell you it's safe to go outside, it's best to stay put until the risk of contamination has gone down. For you.
World globe An icon of the world globe, indicating different international options. Get the Insider App. Click here to learn more. A leading-edge research firm focused on digital transformation. Good Subscriber Account active since Shortcuts. Account icon An icon in the shape of a person's head and shoulders. It often indicates a user profile. More: In Germany, flying insects are disappearing at a rapid rate.
Facebook Twitter Email. Nuclear war: What is 'nuclear winter,' and how likely is it? Julia Franz PRI. Show Caption. Hide Caption. When nations go nuclear, they gain more than just the bomb. Nations acquire nuclear weapons for all sorts of reasons, and it's rarely about actually setting off the bomb. Video provided by Newsy. His comments come during a national security forum in Washington Thursday.
The H-bomb and the A-bomb explained. The hydrogen bomb and the atom bomb are very different.
0コメント