The radiated black rain

The black rain that falls on Yasuko is a mixture of different kinds of radioactive isotopes and other materials irradiated by neutrons from the bomb that is carried into the atmosphere. These airborne irradiated materials coupled with carbon residue from citywide fires result in black rain. The black rain happened in both Hiroshima and Nagasaki and occurred within 30-40 minutes after the atomic bombs had been dropped. The black rain came in a form of radioactive water which was sticky and dark.  Not only did black rain leave stains on skin, clothing, and even buildings, it could also be ingested through breathing as well as the consumption of contaminated food and water which in the end could result in radiation sickness such as cancer.

                      

                          Black rain streaks on a wall (preserved in Japan’s museum)

 

Reference: http://atomicbombmuseum.org/3_radioactivity.shtml

By: Pim