Memo to C L Wilson, Subject: Report of Meeting of Advisory Committee for Biology & Medicine, Hanford Operations Office, October 8 and 9, 1948

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Carroll L, Wilson, General Yknager Report o f Meeting 6f Advisory Committee for Biology and Medicine, Word Operatlone Office, or, Division of Biology 91he AM.sory Committee for Biology and Medicine met October 8 and 9 at the Hanford Operations Office, of the facilities as they bore on medical and biological. problems, . the evening in infonnal discussion with problems o f the staff in biology and medicine, and the 9th fn deliberations o f the Cod tte e. I am writing t o pan i n the abaence o f Dr. Alan Oregg, the Chairman, who i s on vacation. 2here wa8 presentation of the particle contamination problem by Dr. Parker, who pointed out that at present approximately lo9 particles were being dischargedper month and that an appreciable number found their way into the operating galleries o f the canyons a s well as bepresent i n the area oatsibe. particles were d i s ~ s s e din great detail, Dr. Zirlrle, who was present, took part in the diacussiona, as did Dr. Parker and members of his staf'f. It became apparent that 80 long as only Isolated particles were concerned that those particles even i f retained i n the lung would be phagoqrted and removed f r o m the alveoli, probably moving several centimeters In the course of their active life, have t o remain stationary t o be carcinogenic, end aince onlya period ofsix weeks was involved, Itwas deemed that no hazard would exist in permitting operation8 t o contfnae for such time as was necessary t o install the sand filters and to test out their efficacy as a method of reducing the output of particles. installation of the protective meawes, it was fonnd that particles continued t o be discharged i n appreciable amomt, a reappraisd of the problem would be necessary, The 8th was went on an inspection All members o f the Cornittee were i n attendance. The nature activity and hazard of the Since a particle vould If, on reappralsd after the

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The program in health instrumentation was then presented by Dr. Parker, the medical program by Dr. N o m o d , the program in public health by Dr, Norwood, and the program i n biology by Dr. Donaldson. The Committee expressed i t s approval of the programs as outlined and felt that 811 unusually fine job was being done in all these fields. The remarkably low death rate at Richland, even a l l o w iag for the difference in age of population, was especially commented The need for expansion of facilities and the proper technical feattzres was then discussed. consider setting ug Hanford as an add ft ional national laboratory, that it vty3 primarily a prodactive center and its activities In the field o f 'biology and medlcine should be essentially geared t o those of a laboratories for the invaluable records in et ment s of the health instrumentation grotq ; that It was'bi&ly desirable t o have adeqnate facilities for muatic bfology and fora large nnianl farm, but that the 8011 science laboratory projected was not a wise activity t o be developed at Hanford. competing for personnel with already existing facilities was stressed. It was felt that appreciable economiea could be made i n the plans for the projected laboratorg buildings. The Commfttee emphasized that it was not #is0 t o It was felt that it was important t o have fireproof The danger o f newly developed facilities The relationship of the research program o f the Mvision through the Office o f EJaval Research was re-examlned and it was felt desirable t o enter into direct contracts for research with universities and other institutions as well as t o operate througb the Office of Naval Besearch, looking forward t o the time d e n the major portion of the program would be sapported through direct contract. ! b e personnel eituation at the University of Rochester w a s diecussed and it was felt that continued limitation of the program there was advisable in view of the personnel now available, The problems.of experimental therapy by those holding contrada under the Atomic Energy Commission were discussed and pointed out that If would be difficult for the ptibli'c t o differentiate between work done by a glvea in div fb d. who has AEC contract and in his own capacify. Consequently, it was f e l t a responsibility devolved upon those holding BEC contracts t o be anre tbat no question could arise with regard t o activities i n treatment o f patients, whether done under &C saspices

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There was extensive discussion of radiological warfare, Tarticularly in relation t o the program of the Chicago Toxicity Laboratory. program a8 ontlined by the Director o f the Division was approved. ! b e importance o f intensive work i n this field ina relatively short time was stressed. There was general discussion of the relationship of the Atomic k e r n Commission t o the problems of civilian defense planning. pointed oat that the ptrblic would look to the AEC for adequate Information i n this field, and that under the Act, no other agency has the nec es w infornation t o prorl.de sound data for planntng. It was felt that the present work of the Commission i n developing a studp of attitudes and of recommended metbode o f action in relation t o atomic hazards wae much t o be commended. The Committee placed itself on record that in view of the terms of danger t o h a n life, and i n fact to all life, the Committee itself felt and aseDqded that the Commission feels responsibility f o r taking an active role i n this immensely important field. The Committee learned with sppreciatlon o f the statement of policy with regard t o clearance in relation t o the fellowship program. waa felt that the action o f the Commission was inline with the best traditions of scholarship and should prove t o be of value t o the Commission and t o the country as a whole. !Phe matter o f support and mode o f distribation of cyclotron-prodaced isotopes was discussed. Committee on Radiobiology t o subsidize t o some extent and distribute cyclotron-produced isotopes as well as pile-produced isotopes was highly desirable and i n the intereet of scfentific progress. The resurvey o f the Alamogordo area W a s reported upon by Dr, Jensen, and it was felt that fhrther stndies are Indicated t o detennine the exact nature of the hazard. The problem presented by the d is in te gm tion of the fused trinit ft e was discussed and it was felt that active measures ahodd be taken to rb ove this as a potenti d hazard. It was f e l t that the propoasl of the SubThe meeting adjourned at 4145 P.M., October 9. Sepera5 members of the Committee and the Director spent October 10th at the University program i n aquatic biology.