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Home Science
Marianne Guenot
Updated
2022-10-18T11:31:55Z
- Nuclear war remains unlikely but Russia's recent threats have raised attention to nuclear safety.
- You can learn a few safety measures to increase your chance of survival in case of an impact.
- Here are 13 tips on what to do and what not to do in case a nuclear weapon is detonated nearby.
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As Russia continues itsinvasion of Ukraine, concerns about nuclear safety have returned vividly to the fore.
President Vladimir Putin has hinted that he could deploy nuclear weapons in dire circumstances and the US has also alluded that an attack would not go unmatched.
Experts tend to agree that a nuclear attack is not impossible but remains unlikely. There would be enormous downsides for Russia.
Since their invention, nuclear weapons have only been used twice in war, both times by the US. Since then, such a move is widely considered a red line that world leaders would not dare cross as it might trigger cataclysmic and civilization-ending escalation.
Still, with nine countries sharing about 12,700 nuclear warheads, the risk of nuclear war is always present.
Nuclear weapons are the deadliest weapons ever invented and have gotten a lot stronger since they were used in Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945.
In the unlikely event of a nuclear impact, those closest to the bomb face near-certain death. For those further away, there are simple tips and tricks to increase the chance of survival.
Here are 13 do's and don'ts in case of a nuclear attack.
A warning: If the nuke hits close by, there is nothing you can do.
It's important not to minimize the risk: in the event that a nuclear bomb were to hit the US, people close enough to the impact would likely die, regardless of how they prepared.
The bomb would set off a flash of light, a giant orange fireball, and building-toppling shockwaves.
The initial impact would likely instantly kill tens of thousands if the device were to hit a highly built-up area. Anyone up to a few miles away would suffer third-degree burns. People up to 53 miles away could experience temporary blindness.
Fires would tear through the wreckage. Emergency services would struggle to support survivors in the immediate vicinity of the blast. People would be exposed to radioactive fallout.
In the long term, if enough of the world's stock of nuclear weapons were deployed, it would trigger a nuclear winter that would likely lead to global famine.
Nothing can prepare a population for that.
Still, in the minutes to hours after an impact, there are behaviors you can learn to increase your chance of surviving a nuclear strike which is far enough away.
DO: Drop to the ground with your face down and your hands tucked under your body.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends this position because it will keep your hands, arms, and face away from any flying debris or sweltering heat that could burn your skin. Once the shockwaves have subsided, you can get up and look for shelter.
Read more: If a nuclear weapon is about to explode, here are 17 things you can do
DON'T: Stare directly at the blast.
Depending on how close you are to a nuclear explosion, it might be impossible to avoid the initial burst of light, which can blind you for about 15 seconds to a minute. But for those farther away, it's best to avert and cover your eyes, according to the CDC.
A 1-megaton bomb (that's about 80 times larger than the "Little Boy" atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima, Japan) could temporarily blind people up to 13 miles away on a clear day, and up to 53 miles away on a clear night.
DO: Cover your face with a towel or piece of clothing.
If you have a scarf or handkerchief nearby at the time of a nuclear explosion, it's wise to cover your nose and mouth. Even before fallout reaches the ground, an explosion stirs up other debris that might be dangerous to breathe in.
DON'T: Seek shelter in your car.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) advises people not to take shelter in their vehicles. Glass windows and metal frames make them too flimsy to protect you from nuclear fallout. Driving away is also futile, since it's tough to anticipate where radiation will travel.
The one exception to this rule is ducking inside your car in an underground parking garage, which could provide an added layer of protection.
DO: Find a brick or concrete building, such as a school or office.
FEMA identifies brick or concrete buildings as the safest forms of shelter after a nuclear attack. Ideally, the best shelter would have few to no windows and a basement for camping out.
Schools or offices usually meet these criteria. Mobile homes, however, are considered too fragile.
If there aren't any sturdy buildings within 15 minutes of where you're standing, it's better to find any form of shelter than stay outside. If you discover that there's a safer building close by, wait at least an hour before attempting to move. By that time, the potential for radiation exposure would likely have decreased by around 55%.
DON'T: Stand near windows once you're indoors.
If you take cover in a tall building, choose a central location and steer clear of the top and bottom floors.
If your structure has windows, FEMA advises standing far away from them, in the center of a room. That's because shockwaves can shatter windows up to 10 miles away from an explosion, resulting in dangerous flying glass.
DO: Shut off heaters and air conditioners.
Heating or air-conditioning units pull in air from the outside, so they could further spread contaminated particles.
DO: Take a shower as soon as possible.
People who were outside during an explosion should shower as soon as possible, making sure the water is warm and soap is applied gently. Scrubbing too hard could break your skin, which acts as a natural protective barrier.
You should also cover any cuts or abrasions while you're rinsing off. For those without access to a shower, FEMA recommends using a sink or faucet. The next-best option is to clean your body with a wipe or wet cloth. Blowing your nose and wiping your ears and eyelids is also important, since debris could get stuck in these orifices.
DON'T: Use conditioner after you shampoo.
Rinsing your hair with shampoo is critical after being exposed to radiation, but conditioner is a major no-no, according to the CDC.
That's because conditioners carry compounds called cationic surfactants, which bind to radioactive particles and can trap them in your hair. They'd essentially act like glue between your hair and radioactive material.
As a general rule, it's best to only use products on your body that are designed to get rinsed off in the aftermath of a nuclear disaster. Items like body lotion and face cream should wait until a second or third wish.
Read more: The US government warns people against using conditioner after a nuclear explosion. It could trap radiation in your hair.
DO: Seal away contaminated clothes.
Because outer layers of clothing would likely be contaminated by fallout, the CDC recommendssealing them in a plastic bagthat's out of the reach of children and pets.You should also seal off any tissues or cloths used to wipe your body or face.
DON'T: Search for your family members right away.
The US Department of Health and Human Servicesrecommends staying indoorsfor at least 24 hours in the event of a nuclear explosion. After 48 hours, theexposure rate from a 10-kiloton explosion (the type thatmight damage but not destroya city) goes down to just 1%.
"While sheltering is a priority for protecting public health, it goes against natural instincts," a collection of government agencieswrote in a 2010 report. "After a nuclear detonation, people will need to understand why they and their families are safest staying sheltered."
DON'T: Eat unpackaged food or food that was left outside.
Following any kind of nuclear explosion, the CDCsays it's all right to consume foodfrom sealed containers such packages, bottles, or cans. You can also eat things from your pantry or refrigerator, as long as you wipe off food containers, cookware, counters, and utensils.
But anything that was left uncovered, especially if it was outdoors — such as fruits or veggies from a garden — would be unsafe to eat.
DO: Listen to the radio for instructions.
Nuclear explosions produce a powerfulelectromagnetic pulse (EMP), an invisible burst of energy that can destroy power, phone, and internet lines. A nuclear EMP could also disrupt radio waves, but that's less likely, since radios have a simpler circuitry.
So in the wake of an explosion, emergency-response officials will likely broadcast safety instructions over the radio. Unless these officials tell you it's safe to go outside, it's best to stay put until the risk of contamination has gone down.
This story, which was originally published in September 2019, has since been updated to reflect new developments. Aria Bendix contributed to an earlier version of the story.
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FAQs
What should you do if a nuclear bomb hits a city? ›
For a nuclear explosion, if you have warning, take cover from the blast behind anything that might offer protection. If you are outside, lie face down to protect exposed skin from the heat and flying debris. After the shockwave passes, go inside the nearest building as quickly as possible.
How far away from a nuclear blast do you have to be to survive? ›The resulting inferno, and the blast wave that follows, instantly kill people directly in their path. But a new study finds that some people two to seven miles away could survive—if they're lucky enough to find just the right kind of shelter.
Where is the safest place in your house during a nuclear war? ›The safest place: the corners of a room, author Ioannis Kokkinakis of Cyprus' University of Nicosia said in a statement. “Even in the front room facing the explosion, one can be safe from the high airspeeds if positioned at the corners of the wall facing the blast,” Kokkinakis added.
Where is the safest place to be if a bomb goes off? ›“The basement or ground floor will give you the best protection,” it states. “Central corridors on lower floors will provide good protection.” For city-dwellers, the best places to shelter include underground spaces, reported Newsweek.
What US cities would be targets in a nuclear war? ›Irwin Redlener at Columbia University specialises in disaster preparedness and notes that there are six cities in the US that are more likely to be targeted in a nuclear attack – New York, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington DC.
Does aluminum foil block nuclear radiation? ›Although there is a wide range of materials that you could use as nuclear shielding, metal is generally the best option. That is why aluminum is so highly recommended for this task.
Can you survive a nuclear bomb in a house? ›The walls of your home can block much of the harmful radiation. Because radioactive materials become weaker over time, staying inside for at least 24 hours can protect you and your family until it is safe to leave the area. Getting inside of a building and staying there is called “sheltering in place.”
How far away can you be affected by a nuclear bomb? ›The initial radiation pulse from a 1 KT device could cause 50% mortality from radiation exposure, to individuals, without immediate medical intervention, within an approximate ½ mile (790 m) radius. This radius increases to approximately ¾ mile (1200m) for a 10 KT detonation.
How many miles can a nuclear bomb destroy? ›Thus 1 bomb with a yield of 1 megaton would destroy 80 square miles. While 8 bombs, each with a yield of 125 kilotons, would destroy 160 square miles. This relationship is one reason for the development of delivery systems that could carry multiple warheads (MIRVs).
What states would survive a nuclear war? ›Some estimates name Maine, Oregon, Northern California, and Western Texas as some of the safest locales in the case of nuclear war, due to their lack of large urban centers and nuclear power plants.
Which countries would survive nuclear war? ›
The study published in the journal Risk Analysis describes Australia, New Zealand, Iceland, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu as the island countries most capable of producing enough food for their populations after an “abrupt sunlight‐reducing catastrophe” such as a nuclear war, super volcano or asteroid strike.
Who would survive a nuclear war? ›Possibly the most radiation-resistant organism yet discovered is Deinococcus radiodurans, which is famous for its ability to quickly repair damage due to radiation. These hardy microbes can easily take 1,000 times the radiation dose that would kill a human.
Where in the US is most likely to be bombed? ›A nuclear attack on US soil would most likely target one of six cities: New York, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, or Washington, DC.
What state is best to survive nuclear war? ›According to some estimates, the places that are likely to survive nuclear war in the US are Maine, Oregon, Northern California, and Western Texas. The estimate is based on the fact that these areas are in far proximity from nuclear power plants and lack large urban centers.
Where is the best place to be during a nuke? ›"Radiation levels further afield will rise too, in a longer term." So the absolute safest place to be in the case of a nuclear blast would be as far away as possible, with mountains and hills to protect against the blast wave and block rainy weather.
How deep does a bunker need to be to survive a nuclear bomb? ›Building down to a depth of about ten feet will provide ample protection, but any deeper makes it hard to dig out in the event of a collapse.
How long would it take for a nuclear missile to reach the US from Russia? ›Can Russian missiles reach the US? According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, Russian land-based missiles could reach the U.S. in as little as 30 minutes, with submarine-based missiles striking 10 or 15 minutes after they are launched.
How do I nuclear proof my house? ›Close and lock all windows and doors, and close fireplace dampers. When you move to your shelter, use duct tape and plastic sheeting to seal any doors, windows, or vents for a short period of time in case a radiation plume is passing over (listen to your radio for instructions).
What blocks radiation the best? ›Shielding: Barriers of lead, concrete, or water provide protection from penetrating gamma rays. Gamma rays can pass completely through the human body; as they pass through, they can cause damage to tissue and DNA.
What metal is best for blocking radiation? ›Lead has long been considered "the element of choice" for radiation shielding due to its attenuating properties. Lead is a corrosion-resistive and malleable metal. Lead's high density (11.34 grams per cubic centimeter) makes it an effective barrier against X-ray and gamma-ray radiation.
What to do if a nuclear war starts? ›
Move to a shelter, basement, or other underground area, preferably located away from the direction that the wind is blowing. Remove clothing since it may be contaminated; if possible, take a shower, wash your hair, and change clothes before you enter the shelter.
How long does radiation stay in the air? ›Some stay in the environment for a long time because they have long half-lives, like cesium-137, which has a half-life of 30.17 years. Some have very short half-lives and decay away in a few minutes or a few days, like iodine-131, which has a half-life of 8 days.
What happens if a nuclear bomb hits NYC? ›A nuclear bomb dropped on New York City could kill 264,000 people — the most of any city on this list. The city's total injury count would also be harrowing: About 512,000 people would be hurt.
Can a nuclear bomb destroy a whole state? ›Depending on its impact radius, even a Tsar bomb cannot destroy a whole country. Only a small country such as Vatican City or Monaco with land areas of 44 ha and 202 ha respectively can be completely destroyed using a nuclear weapon.
Which country has the most powerful nuclear bomb in the world? ›1. Russia owns the largest stockpile of nuclear weapons with a total of 5,977 warheads. Of which, 1,588 nukes are deployed strategically, and the remaining are in storage. 2.
Can a nuclear bomb destroy a city? ›Short-term effects
A single nuclear weapon can destroy a city and kill most of its people. Several nuclear explosions over modern cities would kill tens of millions of people. Casualties from a major nuclear war between the US and Russia would reach hundreds of millions.
immediately get inside the nearest building and move away from windows. This will help provide protection from the blast, heat, and radiation of the detonation. occurs take cover from the blast behind anything that might offer protection. Lie face down to protect exposed skin from the heat and flying debris.
What states are most likely to get hit by a nuclear bomb? ›Redlener identified six cities that have the greatest likelihood of being attacked: New York, Chicago, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Houston. Only New York, Washington D.C., and Los Angeles' emergency management websites give ways to respond to a radioactive disaster.
What would happen if US and Russia went to war? ›A full-scale nuclear war between the U.S. and Russia would see global food systems obliterated and over 5 billion people die of hunger.
Can Russian missiles reach the US? ›New START limits all Russian deployed intercontinental-range nuclear weapons, including every Russian nuclear warhead that is loaded onto an intercontinental-range ballistic missile that can reach the United States in approximately 30 minutes.
Which country is safest from world war? ›
Iceland: the safest country
According to the Global Peace Index 2021 ranking, Iceland is the country most likely to remain peaceful during a world war. Because of its geographical location (far north of Europe, in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean) and because of its pacifist tradition.
But the vast majority of the human population would suffer extremely unpleasant deaths from burns, radiation and starvation, and human civilization would likely collapse entirely.
How long would it take for the Earth to recover from nuclear war? ›The ozone layer would diminish due to the radiation, ultimately becoming as much as 25% thinner for the first five years after the event. After 10 years, there would be some recovery, but it would still be 8% thinner. This would result in a rise in skin cancer and sunburns.
What's the chances of a nuclear war? ›On the high end, these estimates ranged from 10-20 percent to an overly precise 16.8 percent to 20-25 percent for “some analysts.” Some of these headline-grabbing estimates are likely inflated to create a sense of urgency and put pressure on policymakers to take action, rather than to showcase the ability to carefully ...
What would the US do in a nuclear war? ›In an all-out nuclear war between Russia and the United States, the two countries would not limit to shooting nuclear missiles at each other's homeland but would target some of their weapons at other countries, including ones with nuclear weapons. These countries could launch some or all their weapons in retaliation.
How far would a nuclear bomb reach if it hit Chicago? ›If a W-87 hit Chicago, for instance, the simulator anticipates a death toll of roughly 373,257 with another 246,745 injuries. The blast would be so hot it would be felt from 50 miles away.
What states would be hit first in a nuclear war? ›The cities that would most likely be attacked are Washington, New York City and Los Angeles. Using a van or SUV, the device could easily be delivered to the heart of a city and detonated. The effects and response planning from a nuclear blast are determined using statics from Washington, the most likely target.
How long does a city stay radioactive after a nuclear bomb? ›For the survivors of a nuclear war, this lingering radiation hazard could represent a grave threat for as long as 1 to 5 years after the attack. Predictions of the amount and levels of the radioactive fallout are difficult because of several factors.
How long should you stay underground after a nuclear bomb? ›If you are in a good shelter, plan on staying inside a minimum of 1 day and then wait for instructions from authorities about when to come out. By the end of the first day following a nuclear detonation, potential radiation exposure decreases by 80% (CBUPMC, 2011).
What US cities would Russia target? ›A nuclear attack on US soil would most likely target one of six cities: New York, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, or Washington, DC.
How far would radiation spread from a nuclear bomb? ›
The initial radiation pulse from a 1 KT device could cause 50% mortality from radiation exposure, to individuals, without immediate medical intervention, within an approximate ½ mile (790 m) radius. This radius increases to approximately ¾ mile (1200m) for a 10 KT detonation.
Would a nuclear bomb wipe out a city? ›Short-term effects
A single nuclear weapon can destroy a city and kill most of its people. Several nuclear explosions over modern cities would kill tens of millions of people. Casualties from a major nuclear war between the US and Russia would reach hundreds of millions.
Immediately after you are inside shelter, if you may have been outside after the fallout arrived: Remove your outer layer of contaminated clothing to remove fallout and radiation from your body. Take a shower or wash with soap and water to remove fallout from any skin or hair that was not covered.
How deep does an underground have to be to avoid a nuclear blast? ›BUILD UNDERGROUND
Building down to a depth of about ten feet will provide ample protection, but any deeper makes it hard to dig out in the event of a collapse.
Once you survive the initial blast, you're going to want as much dense material — concrete, bricks, lead, or even books — between you and the radiation as possible. Fallout shelters are your next safest bet, as they will provide the highest protection from this debris.
What would happen if the US went to war with Russia? ›A full-scale nuclear war between the U.S. and Russia would see global food systems obliterated and over 5 billion people die of hunger.
Can a Russian nuke reach the US? ›New START limits all Russian deployed intercontinental-range nuclear weapons, including every Russian nuclear warhead that is loaded onto an intercontinental-range ballistic missile that can reach the United States in approximately 30 minutes.