Fatal Radiation Syndrome from an Accidental Nuclear Excursion

THE acute radiation syndrome will almost surely be encountered from time to time as accidents occur in the rapidly expanding nuclear-energy industry. Nuclear power is already becoming economically competitive with conventional sources.1 In view of the present magnitude of these activities it is remarkable that there have been so few accidents already, a testament to the care that has been exercised in safety control of highly hazardous undertakings during the past twenty years or so.The first fatal accidental nuclear excursions occurred in 1945 and 1946 at Los Alamos.2 One of the victims died nine days, and the other twenty-four . . .