Acute Radiation Syndrome (ARS) is caused by exposure to a high dose of ionizing radiation over a short period of time, such as could occur after the meltdown of a nuclear reactor or the detonation of a “dirty bomb”. The acute signs and symptoms classically affect the hematologic, gastrointestinal, skin and central nervous systems.
The hematopoietic sub syndrome of ARS is characterized by severe decreases in the numbers of platelets and red and white blood cells due to the destruction of the bone marrow progenitor cells which produce these cells. Low numbers of these cells can result in uncontrolled bleeding, anemia, severe infection and death.
For ARS program and trial conducted by the U.S. National Institutes of Health press here.