radiation. All nuclear radiation, even in small doses, has some harmful effect on the body and should be
avoided whenever it is possible to do so without interfering with military operations.
1-2. Response Factors. The response of an individual to nuclear radiation depends upon several
factors, including
The total dose accumulated from previous radiation exposure.
The period of time over which the doses were received.
The recuperation time between exposures.
The physical condition and age of the individual.
The presence of any additional injuries.
a. It is impossible to predict the effect of a specific dose of radiation on any one individual;
however, the average effect on a large group may be predicted with enough accuracy for military
purposes. The expected response in groups of personnel exposed to nuclear radiation is shown in Table
1-1.
Table 1-1. Expected Group Response of Personnel Exposed to Nuclear Radiation
DOSE IN cGy
EARLY SYMPTOMS*
EFFECTIVENESS
FATALITIES
Vomiting in up to
0 70
5% of the group
Full
None
within 6 hours
Vomiting in up to
Reduced effectiveness
50% of the group
while vomiting. Up to
approximately
5% of the group may
70 150
None
3 to 6 hours after
become combat
exposure
ineffective.
More than 50% of
5% at lower dose
More than 5% of the
the group vomits
range increasing to
150 450
group expected to be
within 3 hours after
50% toward the
combat ineffective.
exposure.
upper range
*Symptoms include diarrhea, "dry heaving," nausea, lethargy, depression, and mental disorientation.
At lower dose levels incapacitation is a simple slowing down of the rate of performance due to loss
of physical mobility and/or mental disorientation.
b. Control of radiation exposure may affect operations by influencing the commander's decisions
in the selection of a course of action and the units to be employed in a given operation. Continuous
evaluation of unit radiation exposure levels is necessary to assist in making these decisions.
possible consistent with the mission. On occasion, this may tend to restrict operations; but if exposure
control is ignored, the results could be disastrous. The establishment and use of OEG will aid the
commander in keeping radiation exposure at a minimum and assist in the accomplishment of the assigned
mission.
CM2306
1-2
Previous Page
