Britannica Sources used in this answer

How can radiation exposure from nuclear fallout affect human health?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Atomic bomb — atomic bomb The first atomic bomb test, near Alamogordo, New Mexico, July 16, 1945.

Radiation exposure from nuclear fallout can cause severe health consequences by damaging cells and tissues, particularly those that proliferate rapidly, such as bone marrow, the gastrointestinal tract, and the skin.12

Acute Radiation Syndrome

Intensive exposure can lead to acute radiation syndrome, characterized by early symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. Depending on the dose, this may progress to:13
* Hematopoietic form: Damage to bone marrow leads to infection, hemorrhage, and anemia due to decreased blood cell counts.13
* Intestinal form: Severe abdominal pain, fever, and diarrhea can result in fatal dehydration and shock.13
* Cerebral form: Very high doses to the head can cause seizures, incoherence, and death within days.3

Long-term and Internal Effects

Radionuclides can enter the body through inhalation or ingestion, concentrating in specific critical organs. For example, radioiodine collects in the thyroid, while strontium-90 accumulates in bones. Long-term risks include an increased incidence of cancer, such as leukemia, and potential developmental abnormalities in embryos.45612