Radiation effect in the case of very high whole-body irradiation

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Effects to be expected for short-term whole-body irradiation:

• up to 0.5 Gy: no verifiable effect except for slight changes in the complete blood count;

• 0.5 to 1 Gy: for 5 to 10% of the persons exposed, vomiting, nausea and fatigue for about one day;

• 1 to 1.5 Gy: for about 25% of the persons exposed, vomiting and nausea, followed by other symptoms of radiation syndrome; no deaths to be expected;

• 1.5 to 2.5 Gy: for about 25% of the persons exposed, vomiting and nausea, followed by other symptoms of radiation syndrome; some deaths possible;

• 2.5 to 3.5 Gy: for almost all persons exposed, vomiting and nausea on the first day, followed by other symptoms of radiation syndrome; about 20% of deaths within 2 to 6 weeks after exposure; about 3 months convalescence for survivors;

• 3.5 to 5 Gy: for all persons exposed, vomiting and nausea on the first day, followed by other symptoms of radiation syndrome; about 50% of deaths within one month; about 6 months convalescence for survivors;

• 5 to 7.5 Gy: for all persons exposed, vomiting and nausea within 4 hours after exposure, followed by other symptoms of radiation syndrome. Up to 100% deaths; few survivors with about 6 months convalescence;

• 10 Gy: for all persons exposed, vomiting and nausea within 1 to 2 hours; probably no survivors;

• 50 Gy: extremely serious illness occurring almost immediately; death of all persons exposed within one week.

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