I watched several documentaries last week on the atomic testing the military did in Nevada in the 1950s; shocking to see how our military personnel were treated literally as guinea pigs. Less than 2 miles from ground zero in shallow trenches, they were ordered to stand up and watch the mushroom cloud right after the blast, then walk towards ground zero. No protective googles, NBC suits, or anything. No wonder they all developed cancer, and even passed that on to their children.
So, hundreds of these air blasts were done, exposing not only the soldiers to radioactivity multiple times, but everything they were wearing and carrying--helmets, web gear, ammunition, M1 rifles, pistols, etc. How long would these items remain radioactive? Ten years? Twenty? I know there is some kind of radiation "half life" involved, but I am not a scientist.
So, hundreds of these air blasts were done, exposing not only the soldiers to radioactivity multiple times, but everything they were wearing and carrying--helmets, web gear, ammunition, M1 rifles, pistols, etc. How long would these items remain radioactive? Ten years? Twenty? I know there is some kind of radiation "half life" involved, but I am not a scientist.
