To the extent that hydrogen fusion contributes to the explosive force of a weapon, two other radionuclides will be released: tritium (hydrogen-3), an electron emitter with a half-life of 12 years, and carbon-14, an electron emitter with a half-life of 5,730 years.

Fusion, unlike fission, is relatively “clean”—it releases energy but no harmful radioactive products or large amounts of nuclear fallout.

A neutron bomb, officially defined as a type of enhanced radiation weapon (ERW), is a low-yield thermonuclear weapon designed to maximize lethal neutron radiation in the immediate vicinity of the blast while minimizing the physical power of the blast itself.

Nuclear bombs release their energy in the form of a blast, a fireball, visible light and radioactive ionising rays. For a small bomb, 50% of its energy release comes from the blast, 35% through heat, and the remaining 15% in the form of radiation. Gamma radiation prevails for powerful bombs.

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.

The radiation will begin to destroy the cells in the body that divide rapidly. These including blood, GI tract, reproductive and hair cells, and ultimately harms their DNA and RNA of surviving cells.

The residual radiation from a nuclear explosion is mostly from the radioactive fallout. This radiation comes from the weapon debris, fission products, and, in the case of a ground burst, radiated soil. Their principal mode of decay is by the emission of beta particles and gamma radiation.

Fallout radiation decays relatively quickly with time. Most areas become fairly safe for travel and decontamination after three to five weeks.

GEORGE LUCAS IS WRONG: You Can’t Survive A Nuclear Bomb By Hiding In A Fridge. “The odds of surviving that refrigerator — from a lot of scientists — are about 50-50,” Lucas said.

If you are indoors during a radiation emergency: Stay inside. Close and lock all windows and doors. Go to the basement or the middle of the building. Radioactive material settles on the outside of buildings; so the best thing to do is stay as far away from the walls and roof of the building as you can.

When a hydrogen bomb is detonated, the immediate effects are devastating: Looking in the general direction of the blast can cause temporary or permanent blindness, and the area at the center of the explosion is essentially vaporized.