“People who are exposed to these ... are in big trouble and are liable to radiation sickness, liable to cancer down the road if they survive post-exposure.”

“It’s a big relief to know that no one was hurt by radiation sickness in the process of recovering it,” Barger said.

Officials with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works are offering $1,000 for the return of a gauge that, if damaged, can cause radiation sickness.

The city was leveled for miles and the survivors suffered radiation sickness, life-changing injuries and unshakable trauma.

The radiation released by the bombs caused thousands more people to die from radiation sickness in the weeks, months and years that followed.