Memo, Subject: Radiological Contamination Problem of Thule B-52 Accident

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OFFICE OF DIRECTOR OF DEFENSE RESEARCH Ai.^ ENGINEERING MEMORAlbUM FOR ASSISTANT TO THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE (ATOMIC ENERGY) SUBJECT: Radiological Contamination Problem of Thule B-52 Accident. Based on the various discussions held recently, I visualize the pro- _ gram to cope with the contamination problem at Thule to consist of the following elements. We should be prepared to discuss these in detail before meeting with the Danish scientists. a. All weapon debris and as much of the contaminated aircraft debris as can reasonably be collected should be packaged and shipped to CONUS. : The weapon debris should go to Pantex Ordnance Plant and a location should be selected by the Air Force to receive the aircraft residue. b. A small effort should be made to +1^ -..■ni-™-- in the bay and general vicinity of the accident. The Danes insisted on these measurements, plus the U.S. needs them to predict the distribution of remaining contamination as the ice melts. The Navy Oceanographic Office could do this if requested. (Col, McLean of Air Force (AFSSSG) has accepted action on this). c. A model should he made of the explosion of the weapons in the aircraft, the distribution of weapon and aircraft debris, and the par ticle size and distribution of the plutonium. 'There are experts at Sandia Corp., Albuquerque, (j. Shreve) who'have made similar models in . the past. The Danish team has generated such a model, and the U.S. will contact Shreve). d. A long term ecological monitoring program will apparently he necessary to demonstrate that there is no hazard to the local population or their food supply. The Danes have started such a program by collec tion of several larger animals for contamination monitoring. The U.S. committee of biomedical experts felt this approach was not technically significant, hut that the U.S. should support the Danish effort. It .will be useful for public relations and if possible the U.S;. should divide the biological samples with the Danes. The U.S/ should, shortly specify a program aimed at monitoring the lower end of the food web - i. e., plankton, mussels, etc. Dr. D. Bruner or Dr. J. Wolfe of the AEG, Di vision of Biology and Medicine, should he the coordinator of this .effort. (Mr. C. Winter will discuss with Bruner). BEST COPY AVAILABLE

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e. The collection of loose snow and small debris into frozen windrows should begin in the areas showing contamination greater than 1000 counts per minute or extensive uncollectible aircraft debris. It should not be necessary to cover the entire three square miles originally planned.• f .* Apparently approximately 95$ of the plutonium contamination is in the-blackened ice layer. Plans should be made on how to remove the top 4" layer of ice and concentrate the contamination for ultimate removal fronn Greenland. The U.S. committee of experts agreed that this contamination could be released into the-bay without endangering the local population, but recommended'that a study be done of the techniques and costs of re- . . moving it. The extent of removal would depend on negotiations with the------ Danish government, and no commitments should be made yet. their small scientific efforts - i.e., building space for counting equipment, etc. This should be provided if kept in reasonable bounds, and U.S. scientists should share the building to keep up with the Danish results. This means sending U.S. scientists to Thule to support Gen. Hunziker. h. A message will be sent from Dr. Walske to Dr. Koch in Copenhagen - suggesting a meeting of both scientific groups at the convenience of the Danes, but probably within a week or two. The composition of the U.S. team has not been specified, but should include Dr. Bruner, Dr. Wolfe,