Fallout

Fallout is the residual radioactive material propelled into the upper atmosphere following a nuclear blast or a nuclear reaction conducted in an unshielded facility, so called because it "falls out" of the sky after the explosion and shock wave have passed. It commonly refers to the radioactive dust and ash created when a nuclear weapon explodes, but this dust can also originate from a damaged nuclear plant.

Types of Fallout

There are two types of fallout, global and local.

• Global Fallout - This type of fallout is formed when the material is drawn into the stratosphere, the second major layer of Earth's atmosphere, and distributed globally. The majority of this material is composed of the fission products of the nuclear device, but a significant amount is composed of the material that was present in the vicinity of the device.

• Local Fallout - This type of fallout is deposited in the lower atmosphere and tends to fall in the area downwind of the explosion. It is much more concentrated and therefore more hazardous than global fallout.

Effects of Fallout

Fallout has the potential to be hazardous to life for several reasons.

• Radiation Sickness - Fallout emits radiation, which can cause damage to cells in the body. This can lead to radiation sickness, which can cause a range of symptoms from nausea and vomiting to death.

• Cancer - Long-term exposure to radiation can also increase the risk of developing cancer, particularly leukemia and cancers of the thyroid, lung, and breast.

• Environmental Damage - Fallout can also cause significant environmental damage. It can contaminate water supplies and soil, which can harm wildlife and make areas uninhabitable for humans.

Protection Against Fallout

There are several ways to protect against fallout.

• Fallout Shelters - These are structures designed to protect against the radiation from fallout. They can be built underground or in the interior of buildings.

• Potassium Iodide - This is a medication that can protect the thyroid gland from radioactive iodine, a component of fallout.

• Time, Distance, and Shielding - These are the three key factors in protecting against radiation. The more time that passes after the fallout, the less radiation it emits. The further away from the fallout, the less radiation one is exposed to. And the more material between a person and the fallout, the less radiation they are exposed to.

See Also

• Nuclear Weapon
• Nuclear Power Plant
• Radiation Poisoning
• Nuclear Disaster

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