Chapter 15 · Nuclear and radiological emergency
15.11 Common myths
| Myth | Reality |
|---|---|
| "If there is a nuclear bomb, nobody survives." | Most people affected would be outside the destruction zones. For them, sheltering well is what saves the most lives. |
| "You have to flee by car as fast as possible." | Cars do not protect you, and traffic leaves you exposed when the fallout is most intense. Get inside first; evacuate when told to. |
| "Potassium iodide protects against radiation." | It only protects the thyroid against radioactive iodine. Taking it without instruction can cause harm. |
| "A dirty bomb is like a nuclear bomb." | It is a conventional explosive with radioactive material. The main damage is the explosion; contamination is usually local. |
| "Radiation lasts forever; it is not worth waiting." | Fallout loses about 90% of its intensity in 7 hours and 99% in 2 days. |
| "Boiling water decontaminates it." | Boiling does not remove radioactive material. Water and food that were indoors or sealed are safe. |
| "Hand sanitizer or cleaning wipes work." | No. Soap and water; if there is none, a clean damp cloth. |
| "Any room in the house is the same." | The center of the building, away from exterior walls, roof, and windows, with mass around you, can greatly reduce the dose. |
| "I can go out to see what happened; I don't feel anything." | Radiation cannot be seen, smelled, or felt. Symptoms can take hours or days. |
