Accession Number:

ADA995245

Title:

OPERATION SNAPPER, Nevada Proving Grounds. Project 4.6. The Time-Course of Thermal Radiation as Measured by Burns in Pigs

Descriptive Note:

Rept. for Apr-Jun 1952

Corporate Author:

ROCHESTER UNIV NY ATOMIC ENERGY PROJECT

Personal Author(s):

• Kingsley, Harry D.
• Schloerb, Paul R.
• Murden, Jr., Charles H.
• Williams, Daniel B.
• Pearse, Herman E.

Report Date:

1953-03-01

Pagination or Media Count:

51.0

Abstract:

The biological effects of the high intensity thermal radiation from atomic bomb explosions were first studied under controlled conditions in the field at Operation GREENHOUSE. Supplemental data were required to further define the time in which a skin burn was produced. Anesthetized young Chester White pigs were placed in protective containers and exposed to the thermal radiation from two atomic bomb explosions. Exposures were limited by aperture plates, each of which contained ten circular ports. Exposure times through these ports were varied by electrically operated shutters. Other containers were used to compare large 3 x 4.5 in. and small 0.75 in. area burns. Resultant burns were analyzed grossly and microscopically for degree of severity. The burn severity was related to the amount of energy producing the same degree in the laboratory and then compared to measured thermal energy from field data. The most severe burning occurred in the second 0.1 sec period. There was little increase in the severity of a burn after 0.5 sec. No significant burns were produced on normal skin after 0.6 sec, despite the presence of a relatively large amount of measured incident energy.

Descriptors:

• *NUCLEAR EXPLOSION TESTING
• *RADIATION EFFECTS
• *THERMAL RADIATION
• BURNS(INJURIES)
• HIGH RATE
• INTENSITY
• NUCLEAR BOMBS
• RESPONSE(BIOLOGY)
• SKIN(ANATOMY)
• SWINE

Subject Categories:

• Nuclear Weapons

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE