The Biological Effects of Repeated Blasts

Abstract

The results of investigations on the biological effects of repeated blasts were reviewed. In the present study, sheep and swine were subjected to multiple blasts at a rate of one per minute in a high-explosive-driven shocktube. Three 1% lethal doses (LD1) resulted in 100-percent mortality in 1 hour. Blast injuries to the organs in the neck (larynx, pharynx, and trachea) and the gastrointestinal tract occurred at blast overpressure levels lower than those necessary for lung hemorrhage for both single and multiple exposures. Curves estimating the LD1 for man as a function of incident overpressure and number of blasts were compiled. For a standing man the LD1 incident overpressure was 27 psi (186 kPa) for a single blast and 18 psi (124 kPa) for five blasts. The overpressures from one or five blasts required to inflict selected injuries in man were presented.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 30, 1981
Accession Number
ADA113113

Entities

People

  • Donald R. Richmond
  • E. Royce Fletcher
  • John T. Yelverton

Organizations

  • Lovelace Foundation

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Agreements
  • Air Force
  • Blast Injuries
  • Blast Waves
  • Body Weight
  • Department Of Defense
  • Dynamic Pressure
  • Ear
  • Explosives
  • Gastrointestinal Tract
  • Hemorrhage
  • Medical Personnel
  • Overpressure
  • Sea Level
  • Shock Waves
  • War Colleges
  • Wounds And Injuries

Fields of Study

  • Medicine

Readers

  • Cardiovascular Physiology
  • Nuclear Civil Defense.