Reasonable Rascal
10-03-01, 11:11
EXPOSURE GUIDELINES
A. Roentgen (R) Exposure Penalty Table
EXPOSURE EFFECTS 1 Week 1 Month 4 Months
Medical care 150R 200R 300R
Some need 250R 350R 500R
medical care;
few if any
deaths
Most need 450R 600R Little or no
medical care practical
50%+ deaths consideration
Source: FEMA Attack Environmental Manual, Chapter 1, Panel 13 and Chapter 6, Panel 15; also NCRP Report No. 42, Radiological Factors Affecting Decision-Making in a Nuclear Attack.
B. Estimated Single Radiation Exposures that will cause 50% incidence of symptoms.
Signs and symptoms of Radiation Sickness
Signs/Symptoms Single Exposure 95 percent
Confidence Range
Loss of appetite 180 150-210
Nausea 260 220-290
Fatigue 280 230-310
Vomiting 320 290-360
Diarrhea 360 310-410
Source: FEMA Attack Environment Manual, Chapter 5.
DURATION PERIOD
C. Summary of relationship between acute exposure and levels of radiation sickness.
Exposure Type of Probable Mortality
Range Injury Rate Within 6 Months
(Roentgens) 0-50 None observable
50-200 Level I Sickness 5% or less
200-450 Level II Sickness 50% or less
450-600 Level III Sickness 50% or more
More than Levels IV & V 100%
sickness
Sources: FEMA Attack Environmental Manual, CPG 2-1A
Level I Sickness: Less than half of the persons exposed will vomit within 24 hours. There are either no subsequent symptoms or at most, only increased fatigue. Less than 5 percent will require medical care for radiation injury. Others can perform their customary tasks. Deaths that occur are caused by complications such as blast and thermal injuries or infections and disease.
Level II Sickness: More than half of the persons exposed will vomit soon after exposure and will be ill for several days. This will be followed by a period of one to three weeks when there are few or no symptoms. At the end of this latent period, loss of hair will be seen in more than half followed by a moderately severe illness due primarily to the damage to the blood forming organs. More than half will survive with the changes of survival being better for those who received a lighter dose.
Level III Sickness: This is a more serious version of Level II Sickness. The initial period of illness is longer, the latent period shorter, and the ensuing illness is characterized by extensive hemorrhages and complicating infections. Less than half will survive.
Level IV Sickness: This is an accelerated version of Level III Sickness. All in the group will begin to vomit soon after exposure and this will continue for several days or until death. Death will occur before the end of the second week and usually before the appearance of hemorrhages or loss of hair.
Level V Sickness: This is an extremely severe illness in which damage to the brain and nervous system predominates. Symptoms signs and rapid prostration come on almost as soon as the dose has been received. Death occurs in a few hours or a few days. Illness of this type would involve exposure to gamma radiation in excess of several thousand roentgens.
A. Roentgen (R) Exposure Penalty Table
EXPOSURE EFFECTS 1 Week 1 Month 4 Months
Medical care 150R 200R 300R
Some need 250R 350R 500R
medical care;
few if any
deaths
Most need 450R 600R Little or no
medical care practical
50%+ deaths consideration
Source: FEMA Attack Environmental Manual, Chapter 1, Panel 13 and Chapter 6, Panel 15; also NCRP Report No. 42, Radiological Factors Affecting Decision-Making in a Nuclear Attack.
B. Estimated Single Radiation Exposures that will cause 50% incidence of symptoms.
Signs and symptoms of Radiation Sickness
Signs/Symptoms Single Exposure 95 percent
Confidence Range
Loss of appetite 180 150-210
Nausea 260 220-290
Fatigue 280 230-310
Vomiting 320 290-360
Diarrhea 360 310-410
Source: FEMA Attack Environment Manual, Chapter 5.
DURATION PERIOD
C. Summary of relationship between acute exposure and levels of radiation sickness.
Exposure Type of Probable Mortality
Range Injury Rate Within 6 Months
(Roentgens) 0-50 None observable
50-200 Level I Sickness 5% or less
200-450 Level II Sickness 50% or less
450-600 Level III Sickness 50% or more
More than Levels IV & V 100%
sickness
Sources: FEMA Attack Environmental Manual, CPG 2-1A
Level I Sickness: Less than half of the persons exposed will vomit within 24 hours. There are either no subsequent symptoms or at most, only increased fatigue. Less than 5 percent will require medical care for radiation injury. Others can perform their customary tasks. Deaths that occur are caused by complications such as blast and thermal injuries or infections and disease.
Level II Sickness: More than half of the persons exposed will vomit soon after exposure and will be ill for several days. This will be followed by a period of one to three weeks when there are few or no symptoms. At the end of this latent period, loss of hair will be seen in more than half followed by a moderately severe illness due primarily to the damage to the blood forming organs. More than half will survive with the changes of survival being better for those who received a lighter dose.
Level III Sickness: This is a more serious version of Level II Sickness. The initial period of illness is longer, the latent period shorter, and the ensuing illness is characterized by extensive hemorrhages and complicating infections. Less than half will survive.
Level IV Sickness: This is an accelerated version of Level III Sickness. All in the group will begin to vomit soon after exposure and this will continue for several days or until death. Death will occur before the end of the second week and usually before the appearance of hemorrhages or loss of hair.
Level V Sickness: This is an extremely severe illness in which damage to the brain and nervous system predominates. Symptoms signs and rapid prostration come on almost as soon as the dose has been received. Death occurs in a few hours or a few days. Illness of this type would involve exposure to gamma radiation in excess of several thousand roentgens.