Potential Effects of Electromagnetic Pulse on Healthcare

A nuclear weapon that is exploded high above the United States would have little capability to directly harm people by blast and heat, but will still produce a deadly electromagnetic pulse (EMP) that can destroy or disable much of our electrical grid. The congressional “Commission to Assess the Threat to the U.S. from EMP Attack” looked at the effects of EMP on the electronic control systems in our water, oil, and gas distribution systems, and other infrastructure such as telecommunications and transport. There has been little examination of the effects of this electromagnetic pulse on the critical workings of current medical equipment including laboratory equipment, monitoring equipment in emergency departments and intensive care units, ventilators, and radiology equipment, including CT scanners. This paper will examine the effects of EMP on this equipment, potential secondary effects on health care, and propose some possible mitigation strategies.