Operation SNAPPER. The Biological Effectiveness of Neutron Radiation from Nuclear Weapons. Project 4.3.

Abstract

Experiments dealing with the biological effectiveness of neutron radiation from nuclear weapons were included in Operation TUMBLER-SNAPPER for two reasons. First, confirmation of the results of similar experiments done at Operation GREENHOUSE was desired. Second, evaluation of the effect of neutron irradiation on organ systems and biological parameters not measured at Operation GREENHOUSE was considered necessary. Three weapons were used for the TUMBLER-SNAPPER studies. On all three shots, organ-weight loss determinations were made on exposed animals. Total white blood cell counts and differential counts were done on those animals sacrificed for organ-weight studies. On selected animals the uptake of radioactive iron in the erythrocytes was measured. The organ-weight studies were included to provide a means of comparing the TUMBLER-SNAPPER results with those of the Operation GREENHOUSE experiments. The blood counting and radioactive iron studies were done to assay, insofar as possible, bone marrow function in the neutron-irradiated animals.

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 01, 1980
Accession Number
ADA995016

Entities

Organizations

  • General Electric

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Blood
  • Blood Cells
  • Body Weight
  • Bone Marrow
  • Cell Count
  • Cells
  • Erythrocytes
  • Greenhouses
  • Leukocytes
  • Neutron Bombardment
  • Nuclear Weapons
  • Radiation
  • Weapons

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Nuclear and Radiation Engineering.
  • Systems Analysis and Design