How do governments and militaries test out nuclear weapons without creating disastrous effects on the environment/ecosystem?

Question

Just like the title says, I don’t understand how they can test nuclear bombs in the desert, or Bikini Atoll (in the ocean) without permanently irradiating the ecosystem (and consequently, Earth) beyond repair.

They’ve tested dozens and dozens of nuclear bombs throughout the years, and I’m confused why that hasn’t messed our world up?

In: 352

Answer 1

Well, they no longer test nuclear weapons because it did cause disastrous environmental effects. Some pacific areas are uninhabitable. You can draw a line on a map from the Nevada test sites to Minnesota. Along that route people have higher rates of thyroid issues.