Global leaders in security are sounding alarms about increasing threats related to nuclear weapons as military expenditures continue to rise globally. Concurrently, there’s a notable surge in the sale of private bunkers around the world. Critics argue that the availability of these bunkers fosters a misguided belief that surviving a nuclear conflict is possible. They contend that those preparing for life in a post-nuclear scenario are overlooking the immediate dangers posed by nuclear threats and the urgent need to halt the spread of weapons of mass destruction.

Disaster preparedness officials from the government maintain that bunkers may not be necessary for individual safety. According to a 100-page guide by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) regarding responses to a nuclear explosion, the best action for the public is to seek shelter indoors and remain there—preferably in a basement and away from external walls—for a minimum of a day. FEMA emphasizes that existing structures can offer protection against radioactive fallout.

Currently, the market for bomb and fallout shelters in the United States is projected to expand from $137 million last year to $175 million by 2030, according to a report by BlueWeave Consulting. Factors influencing this growth include rising fears related to nuclear or terrorist attacks and civil unrest. Ron Hubbard, CEO of Atlas Survival Shelters, noted that many people are anxious and desire a secure environment for their families, adopting a mentality that it is better to have a bunker and not need it than the reverse. His bunker manufacturing facility in Sulphur Springs, Texas, claims to be the largest globally. Sales have reportedly surged due to the impacts of COVID-19 lockdowns, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and recent conflicts such as the Israel-Hamas war.

Experts in disaster management assert that exposure to fallout can be avoided, emphasizing that fallout is a consequence that occurs after a nuclear explosion. Brooke Buddemeier, a radiation safety specialist at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, highlighted that an obvious detonation event would occur, followed by a large cloud. Finding shelter indoors, away from where debris falls, will help ensure the safety of families. Following a nuclear blast, it would take approximately 15 minutes for radioactive fallout to reach those situated a mile or more from ground zero, according to scientist Michael Dillon. He compared the fallout to “sand falling on your head” and stressed the importance of moving to a sturdy building. Their modeling suggests that individuals may need to remain inside for one to two days before it’s safe to evacuate.

Nonproliferation advocates express strong opposition to bunker construction and any notion that a nuclear war could be survived. Alicia Sanders-Zakre from the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons argued that bunkers are more about allowing the public to psychologically cope with the fear of nuclear war than providing actual survival means. She described radiation as the “uniquely horrific aspect of nuclear weapons,” insisting that even those who survive the immediate fallout may face significant long-term health issues. Ultimately, she believes that the only way to protect populations from the threat of nuclear war is to eradicate nuclear weapons entirely.

Congressman James McGovern from Massachusetts continues to introduce legislation aimed at promoting nonproliferation year after year. He asserts that if a full-scale nuclear war were to occur, underground bunkers would not offer real protection. Instead, he advocates for directing resources and energy towards initiating discussions on a nuclear weapon freeze. He envisions a future where the goal is to completely eliminate nuclear weaponry.