The Exposure of Drugs to the Effects of Nuclear Explosions

Certain drugs were subjected to high levels of ionizing radiation and shock and the effect of nuclear explosions on their potency and toxicity was determined. Induced radioactivity found in some of the drugs was traced to the presence of mineral excipients such as calcium phosphate. All chlorine-containing drugs became radioactive by transmutation of some of the chlorine to sulfur 35. It appears that only a slight radiological health hazard may be involved in the use of exposed drugs under disaster conditions. Despite this, however, special precautions should be taken in the use of drugs exposed to radioactivity if they contain chlorides or phosphates.