The effects of nuclear tests

The United States, the Sovjet Union, Britain, France and China have so far completed slightly over 2,000 nuclear tests. At first, the tests were mainly conducted in the atmosphere. The number of atmospheric tests done is slightly over 500. Explosions detonated in the atmosphere were dangerous to all those participating the tests -researchers, workers and military personnel - as well as to the inhabitants living near the test sites. The first hydrogen bomb test carried out by the United States on Bikini Atoll in 1954 caused radioactive fallout that contaminated the nearby atolls and made the crew of a Japanese fishing vessel fall ill. Soldiers participating in military drills conducted in connection with the tests were also exposed to the risks of the atmospheric explosions. Only a few atmospheric tests had direct health effects, but it is still being debated whether the resulting radiation doses affected the diseases that have surfaced later. The veil of secrecy kept up by all countries with nuclear weapons has hampered any investigations into the matter for decades. Nevertheless, in the last few years, some victims of the tests have been paid damages. (orig.) (1 fig.)