

Iodine-131, called “I-131,” which exposes the thyroid gland for about 2 months after each nuclear test, was the most important harmful radioactive material (isotope) in global fallout. CDC and NCI scientists believe that although the potential for developing thyroid cancer from exposure to global fallout is small, it is important for people to be aware of the risks.
#Nuclear time fallout 4 skin
From fallout particles that fell on the ground and that later come in contact with the skin (external).From direct skin contact with fallout particles in the air (external).The total quantity of radiation a person is exposed to is called the “dose.”Įxposure to radioactive material from fallout may occur in several ways: People can be exposed to radioactive fallout on the outside of the body (external) or inside the body, such as in a specific organ (internal). The study found that any person living in the contiguous United States since 1951 has been exposed to some radioactive fallout, and all of a person’s organs and tissues have received some exposure. CDC and NCI, in their study of global fallout, looked only at fallout in the contiguous United States (the 48 states between Canada and Mexico). Even today, radioactive fallout is present in all parts of the world in small amounts. Radioactive fallout was deposited all over the world, so many people were exposed to it.

Depending on the size and type of weapon that was exploded, some of these particles and gases traveled great distances before falling to earth (called fallout) where people could be exposed to the radiation. During these tests, radioactive particles and gases were spread in the atmosphere. Before 1963, the United States and other countries conducted more than 500 nuclear weapons tests in the atmosphere.
