Biophysics and Medical Effects of Enhanced Radiation Weapons; Paper
Health Physics Society, 2012. Reprinted from Health Phys. 103(2): 150-158, 2012. Wraps. Format is approximately 8.5 inches by 11 inches. Pages 150-158, [3]. Tables. References. Bottom corner of several pages creased/bent. Dr. Glen I. Reeves is a Radiation Oncologist, He was associated with Applied Research Associates, Inc. when he wrote this paper. Founded in 1979, Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) offers innovative technologies and solutions to problems to improve our safety, security, and way of life. Their stated mission is to solve problems of national importance by providing science and engineering research, technical support services, specialty products, and integrated solutions. ARA has a long history of helping government agencies and laboratories innovate to protect and defend U.S. interests. Their roots began in military support in 1979, simulating and analyzing weapons effects and developing new weapon systems to increase our forces’ technological superiority. Enhanced radiation weapons (ERW) are fission-fusion devices where the massive numbers of neutrons generated during the fusion process are intentionally allowed to escape rather than be confined to increase yield (and fallout products). As a result, the energy partition of the weapon output shifts from blast and thermal energies toward prompt radiation. The neutron/gamma output ratio is also increased. Neutrons emitted from ERW are of higher energy than the Eave of neutrons from fission weapons. These factors affect the patterns of injury distribution; delay wound healing in combined injuries; reduce the therapeutic efficacy of medical countermeasures; and increase the dose to radiation-only casualties, thus potentiating the likelihood of encountering radiation-induced incapacitation. The risk of radiation-induced carcinogenesis is also increased. Radiation exposure to first responders from activation products is increased over that expected from a fission weapon of similar yield. However, the zone of dangerous fallout is significantly reduced in area. At least four nations have developed the potential to produce such weapons. Although the probability of detonation of an ERW in the near future is very small, it is nonzero, and clinicians and medical planners should be aware of the medical effects of ERW. Condition: Good.
Keywords: Enhanced Radiation Weapon, Neutron Bomb, Fission-Fusion Device, Prompt Radiation, Medical Countermeasures, Radiation-induced Incapacitation, Fallout, Acute Radiation Sickness, Mass Casualty
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