Photo Interpretation: An Application
to Radiation Studies of Survivors
of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Nuclear Explosions*!
CAPT. ROBERT B. MONIER (RET),
Plymouth Teachers College N. H.
and
DR. HERBERT J. VENT,
Air University, Ala.
ABSTRACT: In a study of the effects of radiation dosage upon the survivors of
Hiroshima and Nagasaki, it is necessary to establish the location and amount
of shielding of each individual at the time of the blast. This is being done by
means of large scale maps prepared from aerial photographs. In addıtion to
standard map detail, interpretation of the photographs provides structure
densities, height of buildings, building floor space measurements, slope of roof
cover, and other information. This application of photographs is making possi-
ble important medical research in radiation effects.
In einer Untersuchung, welche die Folgen der Austrahlungen an blossge-
stellte Ueberlebende in Hiroschima und. Nagazaki festsetzt, ist es notwendig,
die Lage und gesamte Protektion jedes Einzelnen waehrend. der Zeit der. Ex-
plosion festzustellen. Dieses wird ermoeglicht durch Landkarten in grossem
Mass-Stabe, die von Luftbildern hergestellt werden. Im Zusatz zu normalen
Verzeichnungen in Landkarten, Interpretation der Photographien | ergibt
Dichtheit der Strukturen, Hoehe der Gebaeude, Raumgroesse der Gebaeude,
Abhang des Dachwerkes und andere Auskuenfte. Diese Anwendung der Photo-
graphien ermoeglicht wichtige medizinishe Nachforschungen im Studium von
Austrahlungen und deren Folgen.
N A study of radiation effects the areas
most often eliciting questions are those
dealing with critical dosages and effective
shielding. Because the tolerance of man to
radiation has been based almost entirely on
data of radiation effects upon animals, as de-
termined in laboratory experimentation, spe-
cific effects of radiation upon man are not too
well established. The survivors of the Hiro-
shima and Nagasaki nuclear explosions are
the only humans upon whom studies can be
made concerning the effects of specific radia-
tion dosages.
DOSAGES AND SHIELDING
The estimated lethal dosage is 350 roent-
gens. However, there is a wide range of indi-
vidual sensitivities from 225 to 675 roentgens
which will cause death. Even more important
than individual sensitivities in a study of radi-
ation effects are shielding and distance from
the explosion.
Individuals nearest ground zero are subject
to greatest radiation effects as well as to the
greatest heat and blast effects. With increas-
ing distance from ground zero or with shield-
ing, the radiation dose is greatly decreased.
* Members of the Health Physics Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tenn., and
members of the Photogrammetry Division of the Aeronautical Chart and Information Center, St. Louis,
Mo. contributed through technical activities and project monitorship to the over-all success of the pilot
study. Without their work there would have been no study and no report.
Eprrons NOTE: This paper is a part of the 1960 Commission VII, International Society for Photo-
grammetry program under Working Group No. 5 “Interpretation of Urban, Rural and Industrial Struc-
tures.” For other Working Group reports and a foreword by Charles Coleman, President of Commission
VII see Vol. XXV, (1), p. 116. For the report of Working Group No. 4—“Interpretation of Vegeta-
tion"—see Vol. XXIV, (4), p. 603.
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