Minutes - 14TH Meeting of the AEC Advisory Committee for Biology & Medicine, Washington, D.C., 2/12/49

Page 2

Advisory Committee f o r Biology and Medicine The fourteenth meeting of the Advisory Committee f o r Biology and Medicine o f the Atomic Energy Commission was held at the AEC Building i n Washington, D. C., on Committee Nembers Present. The meeting was convened by present at the meeting were Dr. Alan Gregg, Chairman, to attend the meeting. Staff Members of AEC Present. Members of the Commission and i t e staff who were present included Mr. Si, Strauss, 14r. h e r T, Pike, Dr, Shields Warren, Mr. Morse Salisbury, Idr. Bennett Boskey, Mr. Robert Tumbleson, Mr. L. Joe Deal, Miss Frances Henderson and Dra Philip Owen and Dr, Herman Wigodsky were i n attendance t o present specific program, Members of t h e Committee

Page 3

Minutes o f Heeting The first 1948 order of business presented t o the Committee by the Chairman wasa discussion o f the minutes o f the meeti n g held at Los Alamos on December 10 and 11, 1948. After the aeading, Dr. Wearn moved that they be accepted, t h e motion was seconded by Dr. Goodpasture and they were approved unanimously. Report on Sumort of Research Projects. reported that the following projects had been Report on Support of Re search approved for support by the Atomic Energy Commission for research Inthe medical and biological sciences, since the meeting held at Los Alamos on December 10 ment o f Tissue Doses Due t o Gasma and Beta Active Tetrault - "The Use of Radioactive Isotopes i n Studying Mold Metabolism, with Emphasis on the Assirnilat ory Nechani sms o f Penicillium Chrysw Chloride and Hemopoietic Fhysiology o f Native Proposals extended Proposals extended since December lO=lJ, 1948 meeting:

Page 4

sponse of Cells t o Deep *%diation" - $10,000 Blumpart - nRadioactive Therapy o f Graves "Use o f Radiocarbon i n Studies on Carbon ilonofide Physiology and the Implications Concerning Irbposals declined since December 10-11. 1948 meeting: Heart Disease i n Animds Using Antigens Tagged and Antibotic Action o f Compounds, Forming Complexes Hempelmmn reviewed the program ofthe Atomic Energy Project at the University of Rochester i n connection with his recent survey made at the instance of the Director of t h e Mvisioa of Biology md'Medicine. He st c ted that the rese;irch progrnm is largely programmatic i n nature, including studies on the effects of a nun- . ber of elements, including beryllium, fluoride, uranium, thorium and polonium, The Committee advised that these studies should be continued as other Atomic Energy Commission laboratories are not equipped for this type o f research. Dr, Warren advised the Committee t h a t the allocation to the project for Fieoal Year 1950 will be

Page 5

reduced by 25% with a corresponding decroaso i n personnel. This will necessitate a curtailment of parts of t h e research program, The Committee w a s of the opinion that there had not been adequate scientific roplacement of personnel since several members of the staff have left Rochester and h v o Joined the research project at the School o f Medicine of t h e Univers3ty of California, Los Angeles. The Committee 1s cognizant of t h e substantial investment that has been made i n buildings, equipment and trained perwormel, therefore, they feel that the program should be reviewed again within the next few of Roche s t e r Dr. Bowers reported on the meetlng of the Laboratory and Hedical Directors held at Rochester on January 12 and 13, 1949. The prime interest of the group was the over-all program at Rochester which permitted them t o evaluato tho problems being studied i n comparison t o tho work being carried on i n other laboratories. These Information Neetlngs arc held hereafter at the various areas mdthe next meetlng has been scheduled forA ~ ril 11 And :'2 at O a k Ridge.

Page 6

Status of Particle Problem. of Biology and Medicine reported on the particle problem at Hanford and O a k Ridge, The Director o f the Division The sand filters that havo been installed at Eanford have proven t o be approximately 99.7 efficient. Immediate hazards are not of a s great concern, however, there isa need for continuing study which will include a determination o f the health Dr, Warren further stated that Dr. Hodge of Rochester w a s cooperating with groups at Hanford and Oak Ridge i n studies on the effects of particles when Dr. Warren requested’the view of the Committee on the advisability of supporting research i n the causative factors in pulmonary malignancy because of its importance inthe atomic energy field. lem was discussed at length. seconded by Dr, Wearn and unanimously approved t h a t it would be desirable t o use cancer research funds tihen a vai h ble for studies on cancer of the lung. Plans for Enivetok Zxperirnents, Dr, Warren asked for It was moved by Dr, Bronk, suggestions from t h e biological, medical and biophysical stmdpoint for future tests, with particular emphasis on projects that could not be carried out Ln existing lab-

Page 7

l ~ n eCommittee plan8 t o submit Ytiggestions as t o mdt eth l to be used i n such experiments, Civil Defense Planning. Dr. Warren presented the Civil Defense Planning Program a s outlined i n the “Hopley Reportff and solicited the views ofthe Committee ooncerning Ifif a civil defense program isset up on a voluntarjr basis will Tt function in light of an atomie Subsequently the following recommendation was submitted by a subcommittee composed o f Dr, Gregg, Dr. Wearn and Dr, Stakman and approved by the full Committee t o be fmwarded t o the General Manager for his consideration, “The people o f the United States naturally look t o the Atomic Energy Commission f o r precise information regarding atomic energy, urgent requests for such informatfon a m being made, and it should therefore be underatood that one ofthe important obligations o f the Commission ieto dfssemlnate the information. The Advisory Committee f o r Biology and I4edicine recommends that the Atomic Energy Commission select and appoint a staff member t o give his entire attention to collecting the necessary information and t o studying the relations and activities of the Atomic Energy Commission in relation t e agencies concerned with defense of the civilian population and the training of appropriate personnel t o handle di easters due t o atomic warfare, The identity, programs and personnel of groups concerned with Civilian Defense should be determined and listed, The type and range of information that the Atomic Energy Commission can re le me to such organizations should be determined and formulated, and insofar as is not clearly inconsistent with national interest,the Atomic Energy Cammission should disseminate facts regarding the extent and limitations of atomic energy, this dissemination having as Its purpose allaying extravagant fears and creating a consciousness of real dangers,

Page 8

1Je believe thata well and truly-informed public i s the best guarantee of effective organization nnd maintenance of disaster relief. therefore, recommend that the above-mentioned staff member pursue a long term stuQ of there h tion - ships with civilian defense agencies, i n order t o improve them and stimulate their organiztition as well and as soon as possible." I n connection with the Civilian Defense discussion, both Mr, Lili cn thal and Mr. Pike spoke ofthe issuance ofthe Weapons Effect Handbook that is in process of preparation at Lo8 Alamos. It was their suggestion that the Comisqion would appreciate the views ofthe Advisory Committee for Biology Eind idedicine on the desirability of this Handbook, how best to transmit itto the people and the most suitable wny t o translate it for verioue Propress i n Public Education. Mr. Salisbury presented an outline on matters of interest in the biological and medical field that are t o be released i n furtherance of t h e educational program. Specifically, he stated that the following material was i n process for publication as well as .other means o f disseminating educational (1) Report on waste disposal. (2) Report on reactor developncnt (Hazards of day t o day operation o f catastrophic occurrences).

Page 9

(3) Keapons Effects rttmdboak (Chapters on radiological effects and Civilian Defense) (4) Special report on biological cind medical work - Sixth Semiannual Report t o Congress Enployees Handbook on a tonic energy which will include a progran sunnary ofthe health physics, biological and medical work. Effects of Attacks on AEC Installations. Mr. Hmry L, Bowman, Professor o f Civil Engineering at Drexel Institute of Technology and Consultant to the Mvision of Biology and Medicine, summarized his recent report t o the Conmission on the effects of the sudden release of atomic energy on BEG building and the surrounding area and mcms of minimizing these effects. He further reported that he VP.S planning t o make a similar survey on the Hanford facilities late i n March m d would report his findings t o tho Cornittee at its April meeting. Afull discussion,followed on the possible releaso of these studies t o the public and o f the advantages t o be gained thereby. the present status of the radiological warfare progm being conducted jointly by tho Atonic Enera Connission and the National Military EstPblishnent. This program includes weapon developnent, protection, detection and

Page 10

program goal points toward field t e s t s on an operational scale using negacurie mounts of RW agents on square mile targets of aninals and instruments by the end o f Colonel Efnor stated that the Atomfc Bomb Casualty Commission. Dr. Philip Owen summarized the research program and activities of Atomic Bomb Casualty Commission. He stated that temporary laboratories have beon completed at Hiroshima and Kure and that permission ha8 been obtained from SCAP t o build R pernanent laboratory and acq are land on R lease basis from the Japanese. Housing and acquiring of qualified personnel continue t o be major problens. Dr. Onen further reported that relationshlps have inproved with the National Institute of Health, however, they arein no position to provide competent professional personnel but are able .to provide a certain number of ad n in is tr nti ve personnel. A t the present tine there are approximately fifty Anerican persons enployed by the Atomic Bonb Casualty Commission, fifteen of which are classified as professional. Lt. Colonel Carl 3'. Tessner, Director, Atomic Bomb Casualty Do mission, is establishing relations with various universities and they are displaying interest in

Page 11

supplying consultants t o work i n the laboratories. It i s anticipated that the moneys allocated tothe Atomic Bomb Casualty Commission for the Fiscal Year 1949 are sufficient to carry on the present progran inasmuch as there has been a delay i n the construction program. Estimates for Fiscal Year 1950 are now i n process of preparation and will be submitted tothe Atomic % e r a Commission at an early date. !Che question of having the Atomic Bomb Casualty Commission program integrated with an existing Japanese medical Institution or made a part of a present U, 6 , Government agency operating in J~ipmwas d i scus sed. Dr, Xerman Vigodsky told o f his recent visit t o Jnpm, explaining the hardships encountered i n the housing problem, food situation nnd lack of personnel f o r genetic and other research studies. Cyclotron-induced Cataracts. Dr. Owen reviewed t h e Radiation Cataract Survey which was made by an ad hoc committoe set uq by the Division of Medical Sciences ofthe National Research Council at the instance of the Division of BioloCry m d Medicine. Dr. Owen stated that the Committee has arranged for questionnaires t o be sent t o all high-voltage laboratories of the country where comparable exposure risks niGht have incurred and from

Page 12

these questionnaires a considerable body of preliminary data became available. These data, though incomplete, disclosed a srnaJ.1 nunber of individuals i n addition t o Chose already known t o be afflicted, presenting similar The Division of Biology and Medicine will 'be kept advised of future studies through the Division of Medical Sciences, Natlonhl kesearch Council, of t h e obvious hazards khab &e existing t o men working with S enim hal ReDort t o Concress. Dr. Warren advised the Committee that the Comnission was interested in having the =vision of Bio loa and iledicine the focal. point for ' the next semiannual report t o the Congress. sented several problems i n research for the Comit t eels consideration for inclusion i n the report and suze s ted t o them that each menber supply FL list of possible subject matters for discussion that would be interesting t o be included in this report. spec id emphasis be placed on things that have been dis - coverec! in fields of bio1o;ry and medicine which were not known before the Atonic Energy Go mission and the Manhattan Froject begnn operation and which aro of r e a l He further suggested that

Page 13

that the Connission had for consideration the recommendation of the Division of Biology and Ikdicine, with the cmcurrence o f the Advisory Connittee for Biology and Medicine, that radioactive gold as well as Cobalt 60 be included on the list of isotopes for free distribution fron the Isotope b is trl but ion Branch atOak Ridge, Dr. lfarren announced t o the Committee It WRS expectei! that the Connission would approve the recommendation within the next two weeks. Waste Disposal Neeting. Dr, Jensen reported on the Seminar on Waste Disposal which was held on January 24 members of t h e various enatneering and waterworks organizations with the procedures and s a few rds as well as some of the problems involved inthe disposal of rndi oact i v e waste s. The purpose of the Seninm was t o acquaint the The Division o f Engineering, jointly with the Division o f Biology Find Medicine, sponsored the meeting which was attended by representatives f r o m the American waterworks Association, Federation o f Sewage Works Association, Conference of State Sanitary Engineers, Conference of Nunicipnl 'Engineers, Journal of Radio bio lo ~ , Dr. Bowers discussed a letter

Page 14

ofthe University of Chicago, i n which he recornended that a Journal o f Radiobiology be established, and he suggested that for a few years it would require financial support of the Atonic %erEy Comission. D r * Bowers stated that the Atomic Energy Comission i s now sponsoring free distribution of abstracts i n %iophysics, biology and nedicine In a journal entitled ments to existing journals I n these fields. it was concluded by the Cornittee that the Division o f BioloEry and Medicfnc should not support a Journal of ofDri John Z, Bowers as Deputy Director o f the Division o f Biology and Ikdicine. Dr. Bowers will continue t o act as Chief …