No abstract

This work, a n a s p e c t of investigations dealing with the Biological Effects of B l a s t f r o m Bombs by the Defense Atomic Support Agency of the Department of Defense.

FORWORDThe purpose of the present study is two-fold; namely, (1) to describe "long-duration" pressure pulses simulating those produced by nuclear explosions, and (2) to present the result of an interspecies animal study when the data on six different animals are extrapolated to a biologic target the size of man.The results are limited to single-pulses of overpressure which rise almost instantaneously to a maximum and endure for about 400 msec.As far as man is concerned, these results do not apply to very short duration overpressures (50 msec or less), to pressures having a slow or step-wise rise to a maximum, and to oscillating pressures of considerable magnitude.Also the data apply to overpressure injury under circumstances in which displacement from blast pressures and winds is minimized and blast-energized missiles do not occur.The findings are applicable to military and industrial situations involving potential exposure to explosive phenomena, e.g., nuclear weapons, high explosives, tanks containing gases or liquids under high pressure, etc.The interspecies study is a part of research carried on since 1952 aimed at better understanding human response to the several environmental variations produced by low and high yield explosives.