Biological Effects Of Blast

The scope of blast and shock biology was set forth as covering effects resulting from overpressure (primary), flying debris (secondary), and displacement (tertiary). Procedures employed in the laboratory for simulating the blast wave forms as they varied within structures on nuclear tests were described. For each effect, a selected summary of current information relating the physical parameters to given levels of biological response was presented. From this, the blast and shock hazards estimated for personnel, as a function of range and yield, were illustrated in the form of curves. The range-yield- effects relationship for the biological criteria was discussed in terms of free- field and other exposure situations. They were compared with similar range- effects data for thermal and nuclear radiation.