Victims of Atomic Bombing

Radiation is classified into two types:

initial radiation which was released by atomic bomb within one minute of detonation

residual radiation which was released after the initial radiation.

Those who were exposed to radiation suffered long after the war was over. It took people a long time to recognize the invisible effects of A-bomb (Atomic Bomb). Of the diseases caused by the A-bomb, a group of symptoms which appeared during the first four or five months after the explosion were called acute sickness or injuries, and symptoms that appeared after a certain incubation period were called aftereffects of radiation.

KELOIDS

After the burns and wounds of those injured by the A-bomb had once seemed to be healed, the scars became thick and produced growths known as Keloids. The keloids were seen in 50-60% of those exposed to thermal heat rays within 2 km from the hypocenter. Keloids are said to be associated with radiation.

Keloids left permanent scars on the victims' mind and bodies. Those with keloids on their faces more suffered mentally and those with keloids on their backs and shoulders hesitated to show their skin. A lot of people in Hiroshima were seen wearing long-sleeve shirts even in the summer.

PRENATAL EXPOSURE

In 1946, women who were exposed to radiation close to the hypocenter during pregnancy gave birth to babies with small heads. It was found as they grew up that most of them had severe mental retardation.

This condition is termed "microcephaly."

These disabilities happened when fetuses were exposed to radiation at a gestational age of 8-25 weeks (especially 8-15 weeks) because at this stage, the fetal cells are particularly sensitive to radiation.

Those fetuses that were exposed to radiation within 2 km from the hypocenter and were born before May 31, 1946 are estimated to be 1,100.

A-Bomb Caused Cataracts

Cataracts show symptoms of clouding of the lens and poor eyesight. They were identified for the first time in the autumn of 1948 in Hiroshima, and in June of 1949 in Nagasaki. Radiation-caused cataracts are different from those resulting from old age.

The occurrence of atomic bomb cataracts and the degree of clouding of the lens are causally related to the radiation dose. It is considered that the closer the survivor was exposed to the A-bomb, the greater the risk of cataract.

Other Effects of Bomb:

-Leukemia

-Cancer (Malignant Tumors)

-Extreme Burns

-Radiation Poisoning

Below are a Nagasaki boy and a Hiroshima woman suffering from flashburns. The woman died on October 15, 1945; the fate of the boy is unknown.

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All Information from this link:
http://www.chugoku-np.co.jp/abom/97e/peace/e/06/bakugeki.htm