Duck and Cover

What is nuclear fallout?• Radioactive dust created when a nuclear weapon detonates. • The explosion vaporizes any material within its fireball. Much of that

material is exposed to neutrons from the explosion, absorbs them, and becomes radioactive.

• When that material condenses in the cloud, it forms dust and light sandy material that resembles ground pumice. The fallout emits gamma rays.

• Much of that highly radioactive material then falls to earth, subjecting anything to gamma radiation — a significant hazard. Gamma particles are responsible for the great majority of illnesses associated with nuclear explosions. Too much direct contact with gamma rays can injure or kill, and cause such subsequent health problems as cancer. Gamma particles emit most of their radiation quickly, and during the first few hours and days following an attack, they should be avoided as much as possible.

American Experience – History Channel

Fatman

USSR 1952 - Test

Rising Fear

• 1961 – Kennedy Administration

• Berlin Wall

• Cuban Missile Crisis

• Nikita Khrushchev of Soviet Union continues testing nuclear weapons

Fallout Shelters

• Built in backyards or basements

• Concrete Walls – At least 12 inches thick

• Ventilated by hand crack blower

• $150-$200 least expensive

Afterwards

• Expect two weeks to live in shelter full time

• Gradually work outside – 4 hours for 3 weeks

• Sleep in shelters for several months

Supplies• Battery-powered radio • Lanterns• Sleeping bags and cots • Geiger counter• Chemical toilet and waste holding tanks/waste disposal bags• Heating system • Fuel tank• Air circulation system or air filtering systems, or bottled air• Electrical generator• Firearms (to discourage intruders)• Communications hardware• Variety of canned goods or foodstuffs• Bottled drinking water or water storage drums• First-aid kits• Reading material/recreational materials• Cleaning supplies• Extra clothing • Writing materials

Eight countries currently have nuclear weapons:

United States Russia

United Kingdom France China Israel India

Pakistan

According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, the U.S. currently maintains approx. 10,000 nuclear warheads in various states of readiness.

Under START III, that number will be reduced to 2,500.

At the end of 1997, Russia's nuclear stockpile numbered 23,000 weapons.

Arms Race Today

• Obama Administration