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DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE REVIEW OF HUMAN RADIATION This report is divided into two major sections, each conforming with instructions provided in the ATSD(AE) memorandum of 31 Jan 94. Part I contains an overview of the processes and actions taken as part of the Air Force human ionizing radiation review and summarizes the various agencies involved in the search. Part II is a listing of clinical investigation studies involving ionizing radiation. investigations as studies performed primarily at AF hospitals or medical centers which are focused at improving care provided to patientslhealthcare beneficiaries. In addition, Part II contains a detailed listing of operational studies conducted or supported by Air Force Research and Development (R&D) laboratories. Operational studies, although possibly biomedical in nature, are designed primarily to improve/enhance the man-machine interface or to advance occupational or preventive healthcare provided to personnel in operational roles. We define clinical IDENTIFICATION OF ORGANIZATIONS THAT MIGHT HAVE CONDUCTED OR SPONSORED HUMAN RADIATION EXPERIMENTS This portion of the Air Force's review identifies organizations, based on their missions and activities, that might have conducted or sponsored human radiation experiments. Also identified are the steps taken to search those records. Archives and records centers (if known) where records concerning such experiments might exist are included in the specific study report in Part I I . 1. Beginning 3 Jan 94, USAFISG through AFMOAlSGPT initiated the tasking to identify organizations that may have conducted or sponsored human radiation experiments since 1940. Several memoranda were sent to USAF Research and Development (R&D) laboratories (i.e., Armstrong Laboratories, Phillips Laboratory) in addition to USAF Clinical Investigation Facilities and medical centers conducting clinical investigations. Additionally, messages were sent to all MAJCOMS, Field Agencies, and Direct Reporting Units directing identification and retention of all records relating to ionizing radiation (and chemicallbiological) research. Units were directed to report their findings to HQ AFMOAlSGPT not later than 7 Feb 94. 2. The following sources were used as part of the USAF ionizing radiation a. USAF Historian. The USAF Historian (AFIHO) initiated a survey of historical records on 3 Jan 94. Survey results provided information on AF laboratories which may have been involved ionizing radiation research from the 1950s-1960s. This information was used to assist in identification of records at AF R&D laboratories,
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b. USAF Radioisotope Committee (RIC): The USAF RIC performed a review of Nuclear Regulatory and Atomic Energy Commission licenses and permits which authorized human use. A RIC listing of 22 license approvals was provided to R&D laboratories and clinical investigation facilities as an aid in their search efforts (Atch 1) It should be noted that licenses identified in the RIC listing are general in nature and may have supported more than one study at clinical sites or R&D laboratories, POC: Lt Col Donnelly, DSN 240-3331. Chief, USAF Radioisotope Committee Summary of RIC Files Searched: RIC files only dating back to 1958. c. Human Systems Center (HSC), Brooks Air Force Base, TX: A comprehen&ve search of all facilities associated with the HSC and its associated R&D laboratories was conducted. Search activities centered on the Armstrong Laboratories (at Brooks AFB and Wright Patterson AFB). Additionally, personnel and available files from all predecessor units to the Human Systems Center and School of Aerospace Medicine at Brooks AFB were surveyed. An organizational history of the faalities at the Brooks and Randolph AFB facilities is as follows: School of Aviation Medicine 1944-1959 School of Aviation Medicine 1959-1961 School of Aerospace Medicine 1961-1990 School of Aerospace Medicine 1990-Current Education Function Only Brooks AFB, TX and Wright Patterson AFB. OH The HSC Search included a Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) search for ionizing radiation studies involving humans from 1940-present. The AF DTlC search was cross-referenced with similar DTlC information obtained from Navy and Army searches. Also, the Armstrong Laboratory searched records of their Advisory Committee on Human Experimentation (ACHE) from ACHE institution in 1965 to present. Several protocols were found in this search, generally involving isotopes for metabolism studies. Most study populations were small (10-30) and were selected from Basic Military Trainees at Lackland AFB and some on-base personnel. Some contract studies, involving larger populations, were found which generally involved cancer patients at large civilian hospitals. These contract studies were performed to
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evaluate the radiobiologic effects of total body irradiation being used as part of cancer therapy. Other large studies were generally Phase 111 evaluations of what are now accepted diagnostic procedures @e.,coronary fluoroscopy). Personnel at Brooks AFB held several interviews with Colonel (Ret) John E. Pickering, former chief of the Radiation Sciences Laboratory (RSL) at Brooks AFB. Colonel Pickering provided considerable background on the operations and studies performed at the RSL and their collaborative efforts with civilian institutions. Records of publications pertaining to these studies were obtained from record searches at Armstrong Laboratory and the Brooks AFB Strughold Library and Hangar Nine Museum. Examinations included a bibliography prepared by Col Pickering in 1980. Col Pickering was the driving force behind the initiation of a number of critical USAF research projects including those designed to determine ionizing radiation risk estimates for personnel exposed to the natural environments of high altitudes and space or to the high radiation environments produced by atomic weapons. POCs: Col Richard Jones, DSN 240-3136, Comm (512) 536-3136 FAX 240-2371; Maj Susan Mitchell, DSN 240-3471, Comm (512) 536-3174 FAX 240-2638; Col Summary of Personnel Contacted: Col Richard Jones (ALICD), Col James Wright Armed Forces Epidemiology Board), Col Henricksen (AL/AO), Col Vermulen (AL/OE), Summary of Files Searched: DTlC Search, Hangar Nine Museum Files, Strughold Library Files, Advisory Committee for Human Experimentation Files, USAIUSAF Joint Medical Library, Armed Forces Epidemiology Board, Internal Medicine Branch records, Radiology Service of the Flight Medicine Branch records, ALICF records (Crew Factors Directorate, Harry G. Armstrong Aerospace Medical Research Laboratory, Air Force Aerospace Medical Research Laboratory, 6570th Aerospace Medical Research Laboratory). d. Defense Technical Information Center: See above, searches performed by the Armstrong Laboratory of the Human Systems Center and DTlC information received from Army and Navy DTlC Searches. e. Air Force Material Command (AFMC). AFMC reviewed historical records of the USAF Radiological Health Laboratory at Wright-Patterson AFB, OH and interviewed the last commander of the facility. Additionally, AFMC continues a search for clinical investigations performed at the Wright Patterson Medical Center and any operational studies performed at W-P R&D laboratories. Their search has yielded only a single clinical investigation, however, additional clinical investigations at WPMC have been identified through a search of Surgeon General's Office (SGO) files. AFMC also has
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responsibility for the Phillips Laboratory at Kirtland AFB, NM. The Phillips Laboratory includes the former Kirtland Special Weapons Laboratory. Robert Deffner (Historian Phillips Laboratory) DSN 246-4320. f. USAF/SG Review of Clinical Investigation Records and Review of Clinical Investigation Records at field locations (Travis AFB, Lackland AFB, Keesler AFB): USAFlSG has completed a review of 1200 clinical investigation microfiche files spanning the period 1962-1979. Several studies have been identified which involve ionizing radiation in metabolic studies, nuclear medicine tracer studies and X-irradiation employed as part of study protocols. Most of these records include a complete protocol description, applications for amendment to the facility AEC License, approval letters, progress reports and sample informed consent documents. The number of study subjects is generally available from a review of the progress reports; however, with rare exceptions, the SG files do not contain a copy of signed informed consent from study participants. The SG file numbers have been provided to the medical facilities performing the studies; however, in most cases the facilities have been unable to locate the files. Facilities which have found records generally have no more information than that found in SG records. Summary of Personnel Contacted: Dr. lsadore Neurock, DSN 858-6061 FAX: (301) 981-2469 Director of Medical Education (SGE), Malcolm Grow Medical Center Lt Col James Ebert DSN 787-4242 FAX 986-1622 Director of Medical Education (SGE) Wright Patterson Medical Center Wright Patterson AFB, OH Lt Col Rocky Calcote DSN: 597-2086 FAX: (601) 377-6331 Director, Clinical Investigations Keesler Medical Center Col John Cissik DSN: 554-7141 FAX: (512) 670-6053 Director, Clinical Investigations Wilford Hall Medical Center Col Charles Root DSN: 799-7400 FAX: (707) 423-7267 Director, Clinical Investigations David Grant Medical Center Travis AFB. CA
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Mr. Rodney Deltgen DSN: 576-734217535 Comm (618) 256-7342 Director, Medical Education FAX (618) 256-761 3 Scott Medical Center Scott AFB. IL Summary of Files Searched: USAFISG Clinical Investigation Files; Facility Clinical g. AFIIN: Summary of Files Searched: Only one study identified, classified Secret. Operation Green Run. Unclassified aspects of this study were thoroughly reported in the November 1993 GAO report, RCED-94-51 FS, Nuclear Health and Safety--Example of Post World War II Radiation Releases at U.S. Nuclear Sites. The classified portion of this study does not involve any aspects related to health risk appraisal. POC. Capt Ken Grier, AFIIN, DSN (703) 695-1358; FAX (703) 697-0177 h. Armed Forces Epidemiology Board Archives: AF Historian had found reference to a radiation and infection commission in the mid 1960's. reviewed outcomes of patients who received radiation as part of therapy. Patients were from a hospital in Oakridge, TN and studies were conducted under US Army Medical Research and Development Command. No USAF involvement. Summary of Personnel Contacted: Colonel Mike Peterson, Armed Forces Summary of Files Searched. National Records Center files at Suitland, MD, i. Geophysics Laboratory, Hanscomb AFB: Section 3. (d) of the 19 Jan 94 White House memorandum identifies four atmospheric radiation-tracking tests in 1950 at Los Alamos. NM. This study was conducted by Los Alamos with participation from the USAF Cambridge Research Laboratory (CRL). The CRL was located at Hanscomb AFB, MA. It was subsequently absorbed into the Geophysics Laboratory. Summary of Personnel Contacted. Mr. John Taschner, Los Alarnos National Laboratory, 505 667-1945. Ms. Lisa Duffek, History Library, Hanscomb AFB, DSN Summary of Files Search: Report of this study was declassified by AEC on 31 Jan 1960 and is currently in the reading room at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Historian at Hanscomb AFB has not located additional information at this time but continues to search.