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
40 Rads
No fatalities
Temporary reduced immune system functioning
No noticeable symptoms
Medical supervision not needed
February
40 Rads
No fatalities
Temporary reduced immune system functioning
No noticeable symptoms
Medical supervision not needed
March
50 Rads
No fatalities
Temporary reduced immune system functioning
No noticeable symptoms
Medical supervision not needed
April
360 Rads
50% fatal.
Death (if occurs) in 2 to 12 weeks.
Nausea, loss of appetite
Malaise, fatigue
Hair loss
Digestive upset
Temporary male sterility
Probable permanent female sterility
More susceptible to illness and infection
Medical care required
Treatment: blood transfusions, antibiotics
May
930 Rads
90% to 100% fatal.
Death (if occurs) in 1 to 6 weeks
Nausea, loss of appetite
Malaise, fatigue
Hair loss
Life-threatening digestive upset
Internal bleeding
Temporary male sterility
Permanent female sterility
More susceptible to illness and infection
Intense medical care required
Treatment: bone marrow transplant
June
1600 Rads
100% fatal
Death within hours or days
July
1700 Rads
100% fatal
Death within hours or days
August
1700 Rads
100% fatal
Death within hours or days
September
540 Rads
60 to 90% fatal.
Death (if occurs) in 2 to 12 weeks.
Nausea, loss of appetite
Malaise, fatigue
Hair loss
Serious digestive upset
Temporary male sterility
Permanent female sterility
More susceptible to illness and infection
Intense medical care required
Treatment: blood transfusions, antibiotics
October
800 Rads
90% to 100% fatal.
Death (if occurs) in 1 to 6 weeks
Nausea, loss of appetite
Malaise, fatigue
Hair loss
Life-threatening digestive upset
Internal bleeding
Temporary male sterility
Permanent female sterility
More susceptible to illness and infection
Intense medical care required
Treatment: bone marrow transplant
November
1200 Rads
100% fatal
Death within hours or days
December
310 Rads
50% fatal.
Death (if occurs) in 2 to 12 weeks.
Nausea, loss of appetite
Malaise, fatigue
Hair loss
Digestive upset
Temporary male sterility
Probable permanent female sterility
More susceptible to illness and infection
Medical care required
Treatment: blood transfusions, antibiotics
* = 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.