Initial Human Response to Nuclear Radiation
Abstract
This report documents the results of the first phase of an investigation into the nuclear effects on military troop performance. Both signs and symptoms associated with radiation sickness were examined to develop models of human response to radiation as a function of dose, time and symptom severity. Data on the early symptomatic effects of radiation exposure were gathered from some 150 books, articles and monographs. The analysis of this data focused on human data collected from the victims of nuclear accidents and therapy patients. Data from the survivors of the Japanese atomic bombs were excluded because of data imprecision and questions raised about the accuracy of reported exposure levels. A hypothetical exposed population was divided of reported groups based on the sensitivity of individuals to radiation: hyper-, hypo-, and normsensitives. The population was also classified by the severity of their symptoms; unaffected and mildly, moderately and severely affected. Using this data, relationships for the onset time and duration of acute symptoms after a given radiation dose were developed. Conceptual models were then derived for (1) individual response as a function of dose, time after exposure, and severity of symptoms, (2) population response (percentage affected in various degrees), and (3) links between individual and population responses.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1982
- Accession Number
- ADA137543
Entities
People
- G. H. Anno
- H. L. Brode
- Ruth Washton-brown