Command Study 14, Chapter 1. The Role of Nonmilitary Defense Page: 23
vii, 40 p. : ill. ; 27 cm.View a full description of this pamphlet.
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Logic supporting the development of population shelters for protection
against fallout radiation is based on three known principles regarding radioactive
substances such as those produced by nuclear detonations. Studies of nuclear
weapons effects indicate that varying degrees of protection can be provided by
controlling the length of time of exposure, controlling the distance between the
body and the source of radiation, and placing an absorbing material between the
body and the source of radiation. Nuclear authorities emphasize, however, that
the factor of time is always involved in combination with distance, shielding, or
both. For example, if an individual is in an area where the radiation dose rate
remains constant at 25 roentgens per hour, he would be exposed to 200 roentgens*
of radiation at the conclusion of 8 hours. Thus, the factor of time becomes a
protective measure when the period of exposure is kept at an absolute minimum or
when activities in a high radiation area are carefully planned to minimize stay100
.80
80
40
20
0Time After Explosion (Hours)
Figure 6. Radioa~c.ve decay chant.
time. Moreover, since radioactive materials have varying rates of decay with
the passage of time, activities in contaminated areas must be postponed as long
as practicable after the detonation of weapons to permit radiation levels to de-
crease. Shelter, therefore, provides the critical shielding element in combi-
nation with time as a protective factor.
To determine the relative effectiveness of particular shelters, the Depart-
ment of Defense applies a term called the Shelter Protection Factor which re-
fers to the relative reduction in the amount of radiation that would be received
by an individual in a protected location compared to the amount which the
*A total dose of 200 roentgens of radiation could cause disabling sickness;
450 roentgens would give a 50-50 probability of death; 600 roentgens will pro-
duce almost certain death.23
11
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Air University (U.S.). Command Study 14, Chapter 1. The Role of Nonmilitary Defense, pamphlet, June 1965; Robins Air Force Base, Georgia. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1010302/m1/33/: accessed July 11, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting National WASP WWII Museum.