The biggest hazard of atmospheric tests was that radioactive fallout would get into the human food chain.

CNN: ASIANOW - Asiaweek

This could trigger a full-scale war, with missile attacks, radioactive fallout, economic turmoil and massive refugee flows.

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The UK charity Chernobyl Children's Life Line helps families in Ukraine and neighbouring Belarus affected by harmful radioactive fallout.

BBC: Inverness and Nairn charities host Chernobyl events

But the disaster sent a cloud of radioactive fallout over hundreds of thousands of square miles of what is now Russia, Belarus and Ukraine that would have an impact on the health of many more.

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Meanwhile, fears over radioactive fallout here in the United States, which led to panic buying of an anti-radiation medicine and survival gear in the West, have been allayed for the time being by EPA findings that almost no radiation has survived the 5, 000 mile journey across the Pacific Ocean.

FORBES: Radiation Found in Food and Water in Japan [Updated]

Unlike a fallout shelter that protects from radioactive debris, the main purpose of the building was to protect from shock waves and overpressure.

FORBES: Connect