The fallout produced by the Castle Bravo test was unexpectedly strong . A white snow-like dust , nicknamed by the scientists " Bikini snow " and consisting of contaminated crushed calcined coral , fell for about 12 hours upon the Rongelap Atoll , depositing a layer of up to 2 cm . Residents suffered beta burns , mostly on the backs of their necks and on their feet , and were resettled after three days . After 24 – 48 hours their skin was itching and burning ; in a day or two the sensations subsided , to be followed after 2 – 3 weeks by epilation and ulcers . Darker-colored patches and raised areas appeared on their skin , blistering was uncommon . Ulcers formed dry scabs and healed . Deeper lesions , painful , weeping and ulcerated , formed on more contaminated residents ; the majority healed with simple treatment . In general , the beta burns healed with some cutaneous scarring and depigmentation . Individuals who bathed and washed the fallout particles from their skin did not develop skin lesions . The fishing ship Daigo Fukuryu Maru was affected by the fallout as well ; the crew suffered skin doses between 1.7 – 6.0 Gy , with beta burns manifesting as severe skin lesions , erythema , erosions , sometimes necrosis , and skin atrophy . 23 U.S. radar servicemen of the 28-member weather station on Rongerik were affected , experiencing discrete 1 – 4 mm skin lesions which healed quickly , and ridging of fingernails several months later . Sixteen crew members of the aircraft carrier USS Bairoko received beta burns and there was an increased cancer rate
Castle Bravo
Castle Bravo
Radiation burn