The explosion sucks up bits of the ground around the bomb, carries them high into the air, blasts them into tiny particles and irradiates them. These particles can be carried hundreds, or even thousands of miles, as they slowly drift down to earth in a a "fallout cloud." Where the cloud passes and lands, it showers radioactivity. Exposure to uncontrolled radioactivity can be harmful to living organisms. Because winds are very unpredictable, the fallout information shown here is based upon the average winds. Small changes in the wind can cause large changes in the results.
Month of Blast
Average Total Rad.*
Description
January
160 Rads
Nausea
Low incidence of death
Temporary reduced immune system functioning
Temporary male sterility
More susceptible to illness and infection
Medical supervision suggested
February
150 Rads
Nausea
Low incidence of death
Temporary reduced immune system functioning
Temporary male sterility
More susceptible to illness and infection
Medical supervision suggested
March
140 Rads
Nausea
Low incidence of death
Temporary reduced immune system functioning
Temporary male sterility
More susceptible to illness and infection
Medical supervision suggested
April
170 Rads
Nausea
Low incidence of death
Temporary reduced immune system functioning
Temporary male sterility
More susceptible to illness and infection
Medical supervision suggested
May
110 Rads
Nausea
Low incidence of death
Temporary reduced immune system functioning
Temporary male sterility
More susceptible to illness and infection
Medical supervision suggested
June
100 Rads
No fatalities
Temporary reduced immune system functioning
Possible temporary male sterility
More susceptible to illness and infection
Medical supervision not needed
July
110 Rads
Nausea
Low incidence of death
Temporary reduced immune system functioning
Temporary male sterility
More susceptible to illness and infection
Medical supervision suggested
August
110 Rads
Nausea
Low incidence of death
Temporary reduced immune system functioning
Temporary male sterility
More susceptible to illness and infection
Medical supervision suggested
September
100 Rads
No fatalities
Temporary reduced immune system functioning
Possible temporary male sterility
More susceptible to illness and infection
Medical supervision not needed
October
120 Rads
Nausea
Low incidence of death
Temporary reduced immune system functioning
Temporary male sterility
More susceptible to illness and infection
Medical supervision suggested
November
130 Rads
Nausea
Low incidence of death
Temporary reduced immune system functioning
Temporary male sterility
More susceptible to illness and infection
Medical supervision suggested
December
120 Rads
Nausea
Low incidence of death
Temporary reduced immune system functioning
Temporary male sterility
More susceptible to illness and infection
Medical supervision suggested
* = The average fallout received in a one month period following the blasts. Certain areas may receive more or less depending on winds and other factors.