CHARACTERISTICS OF RADIATION

^{SICKNESS.- Radiation sickness is the complex} hazards associated with a variety of dose ranges 

Table 8-2.-Guide for the Acute Effects of Whole-Body-Penetrating Ionizing Radiation of Personnel (This table applies equallyto initial and residual gamma radiation.)

Table 8-3

of symptoms characterizing an excessive exposure of the entire body or a large part of it to nuclear radiation. The onset of radiation sickness depends primarily on the dose received. Early symptoms are nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, which may be followed by hemorrhage, inflammation of the mouth and throat, and general loss of energy. At lower dose levels that will cause sickness, several hours might elapse before the severity of the symptoms will make anyone a CI. After the initial period of sickness, a variable latent period is likely during which the individual shows few outward symptoms other than a general lack of well-being. During this middle period, personnel should be able to perform most light tasks. After a week or so, the second and more serious phase of their sickness occurs and lasts several weeks until the person either recovers or dies. As dose levels increase, the pace of illness quickens-the onset occurs sooner and the latent period becomes shorter. Also, the probability y of cleat h increases, and the time between exposure and death shortens.