Can you survive nuclear fallout? - Brooke Buddemeier and Jessica S. Wieder

譯者: Lilian Chiu 審譯者: Helen Chang

The full scope of a nuclear detonation is almost unimaginable.

核子爆炸的整體規模 是幾乎讓人無法想像的。

Hopefully, no one will ever experience another of these catastrophic incidents.

希望永遠不會有人經歷到 另一次這種大災難。

But there is a scientifically supported plan of action

但，有一個科學支持的行動計畫，

that could save hundreds of thousands of lives

可以拯救在核子爆炸

in the area surrounding a nuclear explosion.

周圍地區的數十萬生命。

So what is this plan,

這個計畫是什麼？

and what exactly would it protect us from?

到底如何保護我們？

To create their destructive blast,

這類武器之所以能有摧毀性的爆炸，

these weapons harness the power of nuclear fission–

是因為它們利用核子分裂的力量——

in which an atom’s nucleus is split in two.

原子的原子核被一分為二。

This process produces an incredible amount of energy,

這個過程會產生極大的能量，

and in some materials the neutrons produced by one fission

在某些材料中，一次分裂產生的中子

are absorbed by nearby atoms,

會被附近的原子給吸收，

splitting additional nuclei.

分裂更多的原子核。

These chain reactions can produce a range of explosive yields,

這些連鎖反應 會產生一系列的爆炸量，

but let’s consider an explosion equivalent to 10,000 tons of TNT.

咱們就來思考一下相當於 一萬噸黃色炸藥的爆炸吧。

An explosion like this would create

像這樣的爆炸會創造出一個火球，

a fireball capable of decimating a few city blocks

足以摧毀幾個城市街區，

and a shockwave damaging buildings several kilometers away.

震波可以損毀數公里外的建築物。

There is tragically nothing that can be done

很遺憾的是，沒有任何辦法

to save those in the fireball’s radius.

可以拯救火球半徑內的人。

However, for those in the shockwave and beyond,

然而，在震波中以及更外圍的人，

our scientifically supported protocol could be life saving.

是有可能被這個有科學 支持的標準規則給拯救的。

And though it may sound surprising,

雖然聽起來很讓人訝異，

the best way to stay protected before, during, and after a nuclear detonation,

但在核子爆炸發生前、發生時、 發生後，能最受保護的方式，

is getting inside.

就是到室內去。

Similar to protecting yourself from tornadoes or hurricanes,

就像遇到龍捲風或颶風時 保護自己的方式一樣，

getting and staying inside a sturdy building would offer protection

到堅固的室內並留在那裡， 就能保護自己，

from the explosion’s shockwave, heat, and radiation.

減少爆炸的震波、高熱， 以及輻射的影響。

The shockwave of energy would travel

在前幾秒鐘，能量的震波

several kilometers beyond the fireball’s radius in the first few seconds.

就能到達火球半徑之外數公里。

Sturdy buildings within that range should be able to withstand the shockwave,

在那範圍內，堅固的建築 應該能夠承受得住震波，

and staying in the centers and basements of these buildings

待在這些建築的中心及地下室，

also helps provide protection from heat and flying objects.

亦能減少受到高熱 和飛散物品傷害的可能。

Finding shelter is especially important if the fireball occurs close to the earth,

如果火球產生的地方很靠近陸面， 尋找庇護處就特別重要，

as it will pull thousands of tons of dirt and debris

因為它會帶起數千噸的 塵土和殘骸，

several kilometers into the atmosphere.

帶到數公里高的大氣中。

As the fireball cools,

隨著火球冷卻，

unstable atoms created by the nuclear fission mix with the debris

核子分裂所造成的不穩定原子 會和殘骸混合在一起，

to produce the most dangerous long-term effect of a nuclear detonation:

產生核子爆炸最危險的長期效應：

radioactive particles called fallout.

放射性微粒，稱為落塵。

These sand-sized particles emit ionizing radiation,

這些和沙粒一樣小的微粒 射出游離輻射，

capable of separating electrons from molecules and atoms.

能將電子自分子和原子中分出。

Exposure to massive amounts of this radiation can result in cell damage,

若暴露在大量這種輻射之下， 會造成細胞受損、

radiation burns, radiation sickness, cancer, and even death.

輻射灼傷、輻射病、癌症，甚至死亡。

Created several kilometers up,

如果是在幾公里的上空造成，

dangerous concentrations of this material

這類物質的危險濃度

would be driven by upper atmospheric winds,

會被高空風給帶動，

potentially leading to hazardous levels of fallout

有可能會造成非常危險級的落塵，

in areas up to tens of kilometers downwind.

甚至可觸及到數十公里的下風處。

Thankfully, the same buildings that offer protection from the blast

謝天謝地，能在爆炸時 保護我們的建築物，

are even better at guarding against fallout.

更能為我們抵禦落塵。

Radiation is reduced as it travels through space and mass.

穿過空間和物質的輻射會減弱。

So while a broken window and sealed window

雖然破碎或封死的窗戶

both have the same minimal effect on radiation,

都幾乎沒法子抵抗輻射，

thick layers of steel, concrete, and packed earth

而很厚實的鋼鐵、水泥，和夯土

can offer serious protection.

能提供很實在的保護作用。

And since fallout gives off half of its energy in the first hour

因為落塵在第一個小時後 能量就會減半，

and 80% in the first day,

第一天後只會剩下 20% 能量，

staying inside for 24 hours could dramatically improve the odds

在室內待 24 小時， 就可能會有很高的機率

of avoiding the most serious effects of radiation.

避開最嚴重的輻射影響。

Following the blast there would be at least 15 minutes to find shelter

在爆炸之後，會有至少 十五分鐘的時間可以找庇護所，

before the fallout begins.

然後落塵才開始落下。

Since the most hazardous fallout particles are the heaviest,

因為最重的落塵粒子最危險，

they sink through the air

它們會在空氣中下沉， 堆積在街道上和屋頂上，

and collect on streets and rooftops,

making ideal shelters underground or in the middle of high-rise buildings.

所以地面之下或是高樓的中間層 都是理想的庇護所。

But if someone were to get caught in the fallout,

但如果有人身處落塵當中，

there are still measures they could take.

還是有可以採取的措施。

After finding a safe space,

在找到安全的地方後，

they should remove their shoes and outer layers,

他們應該把鞋子 和外層衣物都脫掉，

wash any exposed skin,

清洗暴露在外的皮膚，

and store the contaminated clothing far away.

把受污染的衣服儲存在遠處。

Once inside,

一旦到了室內，盡可能 在那裡至少待上 24 小時。

plan on staying there for at least 24 hours.

If the shelter is poor, or someone inside needs urgent medical attention,

如果庇護所不理想， 或裡面有人急需要醫療協助，

try seeking outside help after an hour.

試著等一小時後再向外求助。

But ideally,

stay inside and stay tuned for more information from first responders.

但，最理想的是待在室內，

並等候第一線應變人員的消息。

While electric power, cell service, and Internet would be down,

雖然電力、手機和網路 可能全數當機，

most radios would likely survive.

大部分的無線電收音機應該還能用。

So listen in for emergency responders

所以用收音機 聆聽緊急應變人員的訊息，

to determine the safest course forward.

判斷怎樣才是最安全的下一步。

Nuclear weapons are some of the most powerful tools of destruction on Earth,

核子武器是地球上最強大 也最有毀滅性的工具，

and it may seem naive to put faith in these straightforward protective measures.

相信這些很直接的 保護措施似乎很天真。

But studies and simulations have repeatedly shown the benefits

但研究和模擬都再再指出

躲到室內是有好處的。

of getting inside.

So while we’ll hopefully never need to,

儘管我們希望永遠不需要用到，

remember to Get Inside, Stay Inside, and Stay Tuned.

切記：躲到室內、留在室內、等消息。