I was wondering if the atomic bombs dropped on Japan released deadly radiation in addition to their devastating effects. What were the effects of the radiation if there was any?
First you asked about radiation effects of the two bombs dropped on Japan. Yes, radiation was released and it indeed did add to the casualty toll of the bombs. The effects may be roughly divided into immediate or short term effects and long term or delayed effects. The immediate effects included radiation sickness among those exposed to either the initial bomb effects or the fallout afterwards. Generally those persons exposed to 100-200 REM of radiation will show symptoms of Radiation Sickness. This syndrome is characterized by three phases – initial, latent, and final. Initial symptoms last 24-48 hours and include: vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, anorexia, and a general feeling of malaise. Within two to three weeks the final phase begins, producing: reduction of lymph, further reduction of red blood cells, platelets and white blood cells; ataxis (nosebleeds); hemorrhage, petechiae (small bruises), immune system suppression, weakness, pallor, oropharyngeal abbesses; epilation (loss of hair
Related Questions
- I was wondering if the atomic bombs dropped on Japan released deadly radiation in addition to their devastating effects. What were the effects of the radiation if there was any?
- Were the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki dropped after Japan offered a conditional surrender?
- How do modern-day citizens of Japan feel about the atomic bombs that were dropped on them?
