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
120 Rads
Nausea
Low incidence of death
Temporary reduced immune system functioning
Temporary male sterility
More susceptible to illness and infection
Medical supervision suggested
February
130 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
130 Rads
Nausea
Low incidence of death
Temporary reduced immune system functioning
Temporary male sterility
More susceptible to illness and infection
Medical supervision suggested
May
130 Rads
Nausea
Low incidence of death
Temporary reduced immune system functioning
Temporary male sterility
More susceptible to illness and infection
Medical supervision suggested
June
130 Rads
Nausea
Low incidence of death
Temporary reduced immune system functioning
Temporary male sterility
More susceptible to illness and infection
Medical supervision suggested
July
140 Rads
Nausea
Low incidence of death
Temporary reduced immune system functioning
Temporary male sterility
More susceptible to illness and infection
Medical supervision suggested
August
120 Rads
Nausea
Low incidence of death
Temporary reduced immune system functioning
Temporary male sterility
More susceptible to illness and infection
Medical supervision suggested
September
20 Rads
No noticeable effects.
October
20 Rads
No noticeable effects.
November
120 Rads
Nausea
Low incidence of death
Temporary reduced immune system functioning
Temporary male sterility
More susceptible to illness and infection
Medical supervision suggested
December
140 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.