2016 Physics 280 Extra-Credit Essay Opportunity C (ECEO-C)

Attend the screening of “Radio Bikini” on 4/18/16 in 144 Loomis from 6:30-8:30pm. In order for us to be able to accept and grade your essay, you must sign the special sign-in sheet that will be at the back of the seminar room. After attending this event, you must submit a report that answers the prompt stated below. You will submit only one version (extra-credit essays are not revised).

Your essay must be between 1.5 and 2 pages in length.

At Bikini Atoll, two nuclear tests at sea exposed US military personnel and local residents to high levels of radiation. Compose a three-paragraph essay which describes the downsides of the tests in respect to the following questions:

[a] Was US military leadership aware of the radiological hazards that the sailors would be exposed to? Were there any serious efforts to limit the dose to the sailors? Beyond the obvious (i.e. not having sailors near the test), discuss two ways in which leadership could have decreased the dose to workers while still accomplishing the same work.

[b] Were the local residents fully informed of the risks of the test? Even if they were, could they truly consent to the use of their land for this test? Why or why not?

[c] Negative health effects were immediately present after the Crossroads tests, judging by the hospitalization of servicemen. Did the US modify their testing policy to be “safer” or more careful after this incident? Incorporate an outside incident like the irradiation of the Lucky Dragon fishing boat or the further plights of the Marshall islands when answering this question.