PHYSIOLOGICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF OVERLOADING FALLOUT SHELTERS

Abstract

This study was carried out to analyze the physiological and psychological factors limiting the survivable loading of fallout shelters, to determine the areas in which further information is most needed, and to suggest experiments for obtaining that information. The report discusses the purpose and scope of the investigation, provides a definition of overloading and discusses its etiology and likelihood of occurrence, and considers the man- shelter-environment interaction in parametric terms. The significance of population characteristics and variability is discussed and a preliminary attempt is made to define the population of interest. The most outstanding environmental variables are listed and briefly considered, after which physiological and psychological variables are examined in considerable detail; an approach to predicting the effects of variables in combination is then presented together with a first cut at analyzing two-at-atime variable interaction. Physiological response to probable shelter environments is discussed with particular emphasis given to the effects of excessive heat, carbon dioxide and certain toxic atmospheric contaminants; and to the effects of inadequate oxygen, food and water.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 15, 1963
Accession Number
AD0420449

Entities

People

  • Donald T. Hanifan
  • Meredith B. Mitchell
  • Peter H. Strudwick
  • W. Vincent Blockley

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Ground and Sea Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena
  • Cardiovascular System
  • Chemistry
  • Health Services
  • Medical Personnel
  • Psychology

Readers

  • Brain and Cognitive Science; Experimental Psychology; Cognitive Neuroscience
  • Nuclear Civil Defense.
  • Theoretical Analysis.