Question about radioactive fallout

In summary: Dr. Gregory Greenman provides the following explanation of residual radiation levels after the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki: "The are a lot of things in your life that are much more radioactive than the average person. Japanese collectables - including YOU. The amount of radiation from the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki is so miniscule that it is difficult to distinguish from trace amounts of radioactivity caused by atmospheric atomic-bomb tests. Even if a person were to physically roll around in the dirt near ground-zero in one of those two cities, no (and even if he did, probably not)."
  • #1
F Gump
6
0
My uncle was in WWII, and after we bombed japan , he was send over there for some duty. When he came home he brought some belongings from japan, like his uniform, Gun,, ETC...He passed away this year and left some of his WWII things to me that he brought back from japan. My question is, IF these things were in japan after we droped the bomb, would they have residual radioactive dust still on them, in other words arent WWII collectibles from japan radilogicly contaminated? Thank you for any help, as i don't know much about how fall out all works.
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
  • #2
F Gump said:
My question is, IF these things were in japan after we droped the bomb, would they have residual radioactive dust still on them, in other words arent WWII collectibles from japan radilogicly contaminated?
Unless he physically rolled around in the dirt near ground-zero in one of those two cities, no (and even if he did, probably not).

Some info http://www.hiroshima-is.ac.jp/Hiroshima/radiation.htm [Broken].
Question 11. Are Hiroshima and Nagasaki still radioactive?

No. There are two ways radioactivity is produced from an atomic blast. The first is due to fallout of the fission products or the nuclear material itself, i.e., uranium or plutonium that contaminate the ground. (The same ground contamination occurred as a consequence of the Chernobyl accident.) The Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombs exploded at 500 to 600 m of altitude, then formed huge fireballs that rose with ascending air currents. Subsequently, the material cooled down and started to fall with rain. Because of the wind, the rain did not fall directly on the hypocenter but rather in the northwest region (Koi, Takasu area) of Hiroshima and the eastern region (Nishiyama area) of Nagasaki. Nowadays, the radioactivity is so miniscule that it is difficult to distinguish from trace amounts of radioactivity caused by atmospheric atomic-bomb tests.

Another way radioactivity is produced is by neutron irradiation of soil or buildings. (Neutrons comprise 10% or less of A-bomb radiation; nonradioactive materials become radioactive after absorbing neutrons. In contrast, gamma rays--which comprise the majority of A-bomb radiation--do not cause ground materials to become radioactive.) However, most of the radioactivity decayed very quickly so that it now takes months to measure the radioactivity using highly sensitive equipment. Despite miniscule levels, these measurements are currently utilized to estimate neutron doses released from the bombs.

In both cases, the residual radioactivity is far less than the dose received from background radiation; hence, there are no detectable effects on human health.
Others may be able to give more...
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #3
F Gump said:
, in other words arent WWII collectibles from japan radilogicly contaminated?

F_Gump,

In a word - NO!

The are a lot of things in your life that are much more radioactive than
Japanese collectables - including YOU.

Dr. Gregory Greenman
Physicist
 

1. What is radioactive fallout?

Radioactive fallout is the residual radioactive material that is left in the environment after a nuclear explosion or accident. It can include particles and gases that are released into the atmosphere and then settle on the ground and other surfaces.

2. How does radioactive fallout affect human health?

Exposure to radioactive fallout can have negative health effects, including an increased risk of cancer, birth defects, and other health issues. The severity of these effects depends on the level and duration of exposure, as well as the type of radiation.

3. How far can radioactive fallout travel?

The distance radioactive fallout can travel depends on various factors such as the type and size of the explosion or accident, weather conditions, and topography. In general, larger explosions can cause fallout to travel hundreds of miles, but smaller ones may only affect the immediate surrounding area.

4. Can you protect yourself from radioactive fallout?

It is possible to protect yourself from radioactive fallout by following proper safety protocols, such as staying indoors, sealing off windows and doors, and using a respirator. It is also important to follow guidelines and evacuation orders from authorities in the event of a nuclear accident or explosion.

5. How can we clean up radioactive fallout?

Cleaning up radioactive fallout is a complex and challenging process that involves removing and disposing of contaminated materials, decontaminating surfaces, and monitoring the area for radiation. In some cases, natural processes like weathering and decay can also help reduce the levels of radioactive contamination over time.

Similar threads

  • Nuclear Engineering
Replies
13
Views
1K
Replies
8
Views
5K
  • Nuclear Engineering
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • General Discussion
Replies
12
Views
904
  • General Discussion
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • High Energy, Nuclear, Particle Physics
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • Art, Music, History, and Linguistics
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • Science and Math Textbooks
Replies
28
Views
1K
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • General Discussion
Replies
10
Views
787
Back
Top