[APPENDIX A]
MEDICAL EFFECTS OF NUCLEAR, BIOLOGICAL, AND CHEMICAL WEAPONS AND TOXIC INDUSTRIAL MATERIAL
A-1. General
Biological and chemical weapons/agents may be employed by assassins, terrorists, rebels, and insurgents, as well as well-formed battle organizations, across the continuum of operations. In addition, nuclear weapons will remain a threat on the future battlefield. Another weapon that may be used is the RDD. The RDD can cause significant damage and present health hazards to fighting forces by exposing them to radiation without the thermal and full blast effects of nuclear weapons. The RDD can disperse radioactive material over an area of the battlefield; the area covered is dependent upon the amount of radioactive and explosive material used. In order to detonate a nuclear weapon, an adversary must first obtain access to the appropriate weapons-grade material. However, an RDD can be produced and used by anyone with access to industrial or medical radioisotopes and explosives. Biological agents are easy to disperse on the battlefield without immediate detection; however, their effects on exposed troops can change the course of the battle. Some nations consider chemical weapons as a component of their munitions for the battlefield. As more nations enter the arena of developing biological and chemical weapons, their potential effects on our troops will increase. The enemy's use of TIMs as weapons or collateral damage to TIM storage faculties can severely affect the unit personnel's ability to continue the mission. The signs and symptoms of some TIM exposure can be the same as those presented from exposure to NBC weapons. Considerations of both the physical and biological effects of these weapons are required for HSS operations. Field Manual 4-02.283 provides additional information on nuclear and radiological effects; FM 8-284 provides additional information on biological agent effects; FM 8-285 provides additional information on CW effects; FM 8-500 provides detailed information on hazardous material (TIM) effects.
A-2. Physical Effects of Nuclear Weapons
a. The principal physical effects of nuclear weapons are blast, thermal radiation (heat), and nuclear radiation. These effects are dependent upon the yield (or size) of the weapon expressed in kilotons (KT), the physical design of the weapon (such as conventional and enhanced), and the method of employment. The distribution of energy ([Figure A-1]) from the detonation of a moderate-sized (3 to 10 KT) weapon is as follows:
(1) Fifty percent as blast.
(2) Thirty-five percent as thermal radiation; made up of a wide spectrum of electromagnetic radiation, including infrared, visible, and ultraviolet light and some soft x-ray radiation.
(3) Fourteen percent as nuclear radiation, 4 percent as initial ionizing radiation composed of neutrons and gamma rays emitted within the first minute after detonation, and 10 percent as residual nuclear radiation (fallout).