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Would you be exposed to radiation today if you visited the site of the first atomic bomb blast that took place 60 years ago?
Wiki User
∙ 17y ago
There's probably no significant danger by now. The radiation (contamination) remaining after a nuclear explosion is a function of three things: 1 The extent of the original contamination, 2 The kinds of radioactive elements remaining after the blast, and 3 The "half-lifes" of the remaining radioactive elements. The "half-life" of a radioactive elememt is the time it takes for the radioactivity (radiation) to lose half its strength (to be cut in half). The "half-lifes" of different radioactive elements run from fractions of seconds to thousands of years, depending on the kind of element. When time has reduced the "half-lifes" of the radiation from the radioactive materials to a safe level, there is no danger. Radoactive materials are naturally distributed throughout nature, so there's always some radiation around us wherever we're at. It's called "background radiation". Some agency in the government (I don't recall which one - some reader may provide the answer) decides when the radiation at the blast site is close enough to "background radiation" to call it "safe". Whether that's been done or not, at the site of the "first atomic bomb blast", I'm not positive, but I suspect it has. Here again, some reader may provide a more difinitive answer. I think people are now living in Hiroshimo and Nagasaki where the first A-bombs were dropped in Japan. Can someone confirm this? Interesting,,,the other day while at an auto parts store(Mazda) I noticed,on the reception wall, a framed picture of an aerial view of a state of the art Mazda testing facility in Hiroshima. I am not sure how close the plant is to "Ground Zero",,but,, the view was from a high enough altitude to clearly see several kilometers around the subject(plant). Showing a modern built up area in all visible directions. * There is a memorial to the explosion at 'ground zero' in the middle of the reconstructed city. People live in Hiroshima and tourists visit it everyday. There is no significant radiation dose, no more than you'd get from hanging out in the sun.
Wiki User
∙ 17y ago
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How devastating is the aftermath of an atomic bomb?
When the bomb was originally used the scientists made educated estimations on the after effect of the atom bomb on the land and on the people. They thought people would be safe with in a 50 mile radius and thought the radiation would "die out" within 10 years. Later they concluded it could be 50-100 years before no radiation would be detected. It amazed the physicians of the gravity of the injuries and the "vaporization" of thousands of people. For the next ten years, people who had been exposed to the radiation died from radiation poisoning and cancers. If they did not die right away from radiation sickness they died within months from serious burns. Some of the burn victims survived but they suffered for the rest of their lives. A team of Japanese and American scientist are still monitoring the after effects of the radiation fallout. One of the sad things that happened was a monsoon hit Nagasaki several weeks after the bomb damaged the city. This hard rain and wind further scattered the radiation poison.
What radiation do atomic bombs give of?
The radiation levels of atomic bombs vary according to the amount of radioactive elements put into the bombs or missiles and if they are actually used. Once the radioactive matter is inside the bomb housing the radiation levels are negligible but once one of the nuclear bombs is used then the variables come into play. (see related link below to see how complex it is) Consider this: the atomic bombs dropped on Japan in 1945 are 1/10th the killing power of today's nuclear missiles. If one modern nuclear missile were to be used today the bomb would be able to kill about a third of the world with the initial bomb blast and radiation fallout. The radiation level after Hiroshima and Nagasaki was not really measured until after the US occupied Japan. The Japanese leaders did not really understand the radiation fallout and poisonous danger and they did not use radiation detectors right after the blast. It is rumored the radiation levels were 100 times today's acceptable levels of radiation.
If an atomic bomb hit the US would there be any safe spots from the radiation?
A single atomic bomb does not have the power to cause harmful radiation for the whole country of the United States. If the atomic bomb detonated in the middle of the desert in Arizona, none of the population centers in Arizona would be affected. In fact, many atomic bombs have been tested and detonated within the lower 48 states without a single human fatality.In the unlikely event of a nuclear blast in a populated area, there are very few places that are safe from the devastation of the blast. The safest course of action is to evacuate the area to avoid radiation. The population may return to the area after the radiation has naturally dissipated. Usually after about 2 to 5 years.(EMP does not pertain to the original question)
Does rat survive nuclear radiation?
Rats, like all mammals, have a similar LD50 for ionizing radiation as humans. Therefor they would have about the same chance of survival we have. They might survive the thermal flash better, as they tend to prefer to hide in dark places, so they would not be exposed; but resulting secondary fires are as likely to kill them as us.
What was it like to die from the atomic bomb?
Most people would have been unaware that were near the centre, as they would be vapourised instantly. However, people at greater distance suffered severe burns and people that were exposed to radioactive fallout died long and painful deaths.
Can your sister become a mutant?
Yes, if she is exposed to radiation, she would probably grow another toe.
Why isn't Atomic Betty on Teletoon anymore in 2011?
Too much radiation I would assume.
Are people exposed to gamma waves every day?
No, most people are never exposed to them. Only if your around radiation which is very unlikely and if you were you would have gear to where you wouldn't have to worry about it.
When is radiation used to treat colon cancer?
if the tumor invaded muscle of the abdominal wall but was not completely removed, this area would be considered for radiation. Radiation has significant dose limits when residual bowel is exposed to it
Will the radiation from Japan reach Taiwan If so what can I do to protect myself And if I do get exposed what will happen to me?
If the radiation from Japan reached Taiwan, the radiation problem would have to be very bad. If it did reach you, you should stay inside and keep the windows shut. Even if the radiation got through all that, you would get cancer.
Which situation would most likely produce a gene mutation in a squirrel?
Exposed to radiation for several days
What does carcinogenic event mean?
Carcinogenic means cancer-causing. So if you were exposed to certain chemicals or radiation, it would be a carcinogenic event.
Did the United States know the consequeces of dropping the bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki and did they discuss it before doing it?
They knew the devastating destructive power of the atomic bomb and the effect it would have on the civilian population in those cities. They did not, however truly understand the effects radiation would have. Of course the US knew the atomic bomb emitted radiation in high doses, but the effects of radiation from a source such as this was previously unknown.
Why the ozone layer is important?
Without the ozone layer, the Earth and everything living would be exposed to harmful radiation, which could kill us if we were exposed for too long.
Do heart monitors cause radiation poisoning?
The amount of radiation that a heart monitor would put off would be so minimal that it is very unlikely that it would cause radiation poisoning. You would probably have to wear / be exposed to it 24 hours a day for years on end for there to be a noticeable reaction. http://www.cyclingforums.com/forum/thread/226852/is-there-a-danger-of-radiation-from-a-heart-rate-monitor-s-transmitter
How does radiation cure people?
Radiation cure disease by being toxic to the tissues exposed to it. This means it would destroy both diseased and healthy tissues alike. Fortunately, modern technology allows us to focus the radiation more precisely and narrowly.
Are x-rays the most powerful solar radiation?
No, that would be gamma rays. They have the most energy in the electromagnetic spectrum. Gamma rays are what cause radiation sickness and death when people are exposed to them for even a short time.
