Relation of wind speed to peak overpressure and distance for a 10 KT
explosion
Peak Overpressure (psi) Approximate Distance from Ground Zero (miles) [km]
Maximum Wind Speed (mph) [km/h]
50 0.18 [0.29] 934 [1503]
30 0.24 [0.39] 669 [1077]
20 0.30 [0.48] 502 [808]
10 0.44 [0.71] 294 [473]
5 0.6 [0.97] 163 [262]
2 1.1 [1.8] 70 [113]
100 kiloton NW from NUKEMAP (nuclearsecrecy.com/nukemap/)
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF THE BOMB
DESTRUCTIVE EFFECTS OF THE BOMB
Fireball Radius 380 meters (0.46 km sq)
Airblast Radius 20 psi at 1.3 km, 5 psi at 3.2 km
Radiation Radius 500 rem at 1.8 km or 10.5 km sq
Thermal Radiation Radius (3rd degree burns)
4.6 km or 66.9 km sq
International Journal of Health Geographics
Vulnerability of populations and
the urban health care systems to
nuclear weapon attack – examples
from four American cities William C
Bell and Cham E Dallas*
International Journal of Health Geographics
• 20 Kt and 550 Kt nuclear warhead attacks
• Trend of more destroyed hospitals where
there are more victims
• Mass casualties treated in a disorganized
fashion by peripheral hospitals
International Journal of Health Geographics • Model estimates of casualty
distributions
• Metropolitan Medical Response
System
• Upgrading of civilian first responders
by US Army SBCCOM
• Military deployable emergency
response units
International Journal of Health Geographics
• A study by the American College of
Emergency Physicians (ACEP) Task Force
found that "little or no WMD-based expertise"
existed among medical staff workers in
hospitals (SARS-SP Task Force 2004.
[http://www.frontlinesmed.org/SARS-SP].
International Journal of Health Geographics
• First responders during 9/11 suffered from an
inability to communicate information concerning
the scale and magnitude of the disaster, and
thereby released conflicting public service
information during the crisis that resulted in
additional loss of life. [http://www.9-
11commission.gov/ report/911Report.pdf].
Federal Nuclear Emergency Plan
• Part 1: Master Plan 5th Edition (January 2014)
• Chief, Nuclear Emergency Preparedness and
Response Division Radiation Protection Bureau
Health Canada2720 Riverside Drive, Ottawa,
Ontario K1A 0K9
• Telephone: 613 954-6676Facsimile: 613 948-
4098Email: [email protected]
NCRP Report No. 165, Responding to a Radiological or Nuclear Terrorism Incident: A Guide for Decision Makers
NCRP Report No. 165, Responding to Radiological or
Nuclear Terrorism Incidents: A Guide for Decision
Makers, provides the most comprehensive summary to
date of recommendations and key decision points for
planners preparing responses to radiological or nuclear
terrorism incidents.
NCRP Report 165
• It is incumbent upon all levels of
government, as well as public and private
parties within the US, to prepare for this
incident through focused nuclear attack
response planning.
• could result in life-saving on the order
of tens of thousands of lives.
NCRP Report 165• it does not consider very high doses
or dose rate zones expected
following a nuclear weapon
detonation and other complicating
impacts that can significantly affect
life-saving outcomes
NCRP Report 165• It is important to clarify that the
Federal government does not
anticipate the development of or the
need for specific nuclear detonation
protective action guides (PAGs) for
the most heavily impacted zones
NCRP Report 165
• the general recommendation that everyone
should seek shelter regardless of
proximity to ground zero or orientation
to the actual path of fallout.
• survivors should use good judgment and
should not seek shelter in buildings that are
on fire or otherwise clearly dangerous.