Radiation from Atomic Bombs

Detonation of a nuclear weapon would lead to the release of radioiodines, but radioiodine would not be a primary concern compared to the thermal and blast effects and the large amount of radiation and non-iodine radioactive materials that would be released. The external radiation from neutrons and gamma rays, unlike internal radiation from isotopes of iodine, does not irradiate the thyroid gland to a greater extent than the other tissues of the body, and potassium iodide will not prevent thyroid damage from external radiation. Studies of survivors of atomic bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, conducted by the Radiation Effects Research Foundation (RERF) in Japan with oversight from the National Academies' Board on Radiation Effects Research, have shown an increase in thyroid cancer. However, this increase was due to direct whole-body external radiation. RERF has documented other health effects of radiation in its studies, which are the most extensive epidemiological studies conducted on this topic.