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Machine-read from the scan, so expect some errors. Lines that couldn’t be read are left out.
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Biology and Medicine Monitoring and sampling of worldwide radioactive The Health and Safety Labokatory of the New York Ope brings together all the data that have been obtained on since systematic moaitbrhg and sampling began.* The data on monitoring, Pacific Ocean water, and human bone sampling are only summarized 14 the because they comprise hundreds of thousand8 of individual lis formation is unclassified and available to anyone. collected during the period November 1956 through January 1958, baaed on data avaFlable Table 1 summarizes the results of analysis for stronti Table 1 -Average Codcentratloas ai Strontium 90 in StrPtoepherlc &lea Collected November 1858 through January 1858. (Strontium 80 content expressed in mlcromicnrmries per 1,OoO cublc feet of d r , , ' reduced to standard conditione.) Average 'Number Average Number Average Numkr Average Number meesuremant lad vsrt.tlono atrontlum 80 content from month to moatb * Coplee of this report. "Environmental Contamination from Concerning Traneport, Deposltion. Distribution, and Blologicill U
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BIOLOGY AND MEDICTNE through June 26. It will not be possible to give these data their final interpretation in terms of strontium 90 concentrations in the stratosphere until the question of the efficiency of air filters Can be resolved. ( Foreign Food Collection mittee on Nutrition for National Defense and will be analyzed for their strontium 90 and calcium content. (End of UNCLASSIFIED section.) Food samples were collected in Spain by a nutrition team of the Interdepartmental ComA number of radiobiological surveys were under way in the Pacific to monitor the radioactivity i n the water and marine organisms resulting from the current test series, operation * HARDTACK. In addition, ecological studies at Rongelap Atoll will continue. Each of these . . programs is described briefly below. . , Surveys in Connection with HARDTACK Tokyo, for the collection of tuna 'samples at a port of landing fn Japan. A total of 2,600 sampleo will be collected at the rate of 20 aamples per day 5 days a week for 6 months and sent to the Laboratory of Radiation Biology of the University of Washington. All samples wffl be counted for total beta and gamma activity, and a limited number will be selected for radiochemical analysis. The Japanese wffl retain duplicate samples, and it is expected that information on sample analyses will be' exchanged with them. In connection with the WAHOO underwater detonation'on May 15, which was only the third underwater detonation since the beginning of testing in the Pacific, the University of Washington and the Office of Naval Research joined forces to observe the physical and biological dispersal i n the water of radioactivity from that event. The Hydrographic Office Vessel USS Rehoboth was used for the observation of water structure and the collection of water, plankton, and fish, both before and after the event.' A limited number of biological samples were collected at Eniwetok, Bikini, and a few nearby atolls prior to Operation HARDTACK and wffl also be collected following the test series. ~ e r s o n n e lwere to be available during the operation ior other radiobiological surveys that might be needed. post-REDWING survey of 1956 wffl be conducted to measure the contamination of water in the restricted area preparatory to removing the boundaries of the area. The survey will go beyond the restricted area and in general* wffl include the area between Bikini, Eniwetok, and Guam. Water, plankton,-and fish will be collected. Gross beta and gamma counts will be made of all samples and radiochemical analyses of a limited number of selected samples., Informal arrangements were made with a radiochemk of the National Institute of Health,. Immediately followingthe conclusion of the current test series a survey similar to the Beginning in July, four radiobiological surveys were to be made during the year a t Guam, in the Palau Islands, and in the Gulf of Siam by the Vanderbflt Foundation of Stanford University. The ocean transport of contamination from the test site to these areas requires several months. Those organisms will be collected that are most likely to concentrate radioisotopes from weapons tests (commonly called indicator species) and that correspond most closely to species sampled i n other radiobiological surveys. Indicator species include fish, giant clams, lobster, Plankton, and land crabs. The samples will be sent to the University of Washington for counting and radiochemical analysis.
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Rongelap Ecological Studies The first phase of a long-term ecological survey of Rongelap Atoll was carried out during February and March. The object of the initial study was to determine the types of soil on the atoll, their approximate distribution, their chemical and physical properties, their relation to plant distribution, and the distribution of radioactive materials in soils, plants, and ground water. Field work consisted of reconnaissance surveys of Rongelap, Eniaetok, and =belle Islands, followed by detailed examination of soil.profiles and collection of soil samples. - foodstuffs of the natives. This serves as a check on the radioisotopes ingested by the natives and also provides information required for food chain studies. . An integral part of the Rongelap ecology study is the continuing program of monitoring the Thirteen field rata collected on Rongelap Island during this trip were assayed for strontium 90 content of bone. The values obtained ranged from 268 b 926 strontium units, with an average value of 443. One pig bone was obtained, which gave an assay 6f 480 strontium kits. , A aecond field trip is planned for September 1958. TREATMENT OF RADIATION DAMAGE (UNCLASSIFIED) I , Studies continued at the oak Ridge National Lakratory on the treatment of ra injury by bone marrow transplants. In an experiment conducted on bone marrow cells in aukpension the cells were protected from a dose of 800 roentgens of X irradiation by removing most of the oxygen in the cell suspension just before irradiation. Protection was judged by ' the ability of the irradiated marrow cells to promote recovery in mice exposed to a lethal dose of radiation. Various chemical compounds were administered to mice in an effort to suppress the reaction which prevents the successful transplant of foreign bone marrow. None of these com- -pounds proved to be effective, nor did diets deficient in specific vitamins have any effest on RADIOLOGICAL ASSISTANCE PLAN Procedures coordinating the capabilities of the AEC and the Department of Defense for' handling all types bf radiation incidents were established during the quarter. As reported in the Program Status Report for December 31, 1957, the AEC had certain capabilities for . handling both onsite and offsite incidents, and joint AEC-Department of Defense procedures were already in existence for handling incidents involving nuclear weapons. The new radiological assistance plan applies to both weapon and nonweapon incidents arising in onsite contractor operations, off site contractor or licensee establishments, or in other places as reported by-either military or civil authorities. The plan provides for rapid response to a request for assistance at the scene of an incident by a team from the responsible AEC regional office, with assistance from the AEX-DOD Coordination Center at Sandia Base, New Mexico, if requested. of a radiation incident. Each AEC regional office sent letters describing the radiologid 8ssistance plan to contractors, licensees, and state and local government officials in the geographical area under its jurisdiction. The AEC issued a press release on June 10 describing the aervices available in the event
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BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE Civil Effects Exercise 58-1 A civil effects exercise was conducted at the Nevada Test Site (NTS)during M a y under the technical leadership of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory to determine shielding charactermethods of improving the shielding. The objective of t h i s exercise was to develop data useful i n the preparation of standards for fallout protection and to find inexpensive means of im- . proving or improvizing shelters. Another important p+se of the exercise was the collection of data on which to base specifications for a vehicle equipped with radiation sources and instruments for evaluating the shelter characteristics of homes. istics of typical structures remaining at NTS and the value of simple modifications and other / Civil Effects Excrcise 58-2 . A brief but intense temperature rise at the time &f nuclear detonation was noted in certain large shelters at NTS, particularly during Operation TEAPOT.experiments in 1955. A civil ' . effects exercise was scheduled for a 2-week period during August at NTS to deternhine the attenuation of light by the configuration of these shelters in an effort to determine the physicalbasis for the temperature rise. Data on temperature rises in shelters is essential to the development of acceptable criteria for protective constfuction. . . Angeles initiated a r e s w e y of the radiation levels hi and around the Nevada Test Site. A detailed survey of the Jackass Flats area, which was to be completed prior to the commencement of reactor testing activities i n that area,, was to include sampling of soil, plants, and animals as well as monltorlng of radiation levels. This information may be useful to projected During June personnel of the Atomic Energy Project of the University of California at Los Planning for Future Civil Effects Tests In order to lay a firm foundation for participation in future test operations, task units were established to review exlsting information on various subjects and to determine the types of field experiments that would furnish the most urgently needed data and the preliminary laboratory work that would complement these experiments. These groups, each composed of six or more specialista, are conducting studies of radiobiology, fallout, ecology, genetics, blast biology, thermal biology and effects, physical damage to structures, countermeasures ' and decontamination, and radiation dosimetry and other instnunentation. A group of 15 ecologists met May 27-29 at the Nevada Test Site to consider research needs and opportunities in this area. This survey of NTS was only a part of the group's total program; its recommendations for ecological research were expected to cover all aspects of interest to the AEC. BACKGROUND RADIATIONSURVEY OF ATOMIC' ENERGY INSTALLATIONS diation surveys of sizable portions of the United States, including all major AEC productiou sites, licensee reactor sites, and the Nevada Test Site. The data obtained by the Geological Survey and maps prepared from these data should provide a basis for appraisal of changes in levels of radiation i n the environment brought about by the testing program, reactor operation, AEC plants, and radiation accidents.
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BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE EDUCATION AND TRAINING Training Equipment Grants In June the AEC awarded 38 grants totaling $453,883 to 34 colleges and universitie assist these institutions in expanding their faciliges for training in radiation biology and in the use of radioisotopes in the fields of medicine, biology, agriculture, and health physics. program in October 1957 to 90 grants totaling $1,167,480. OCCUPATIONAL RADIATION EXPOSURE INFORMATION , This is the fourth series of such grants and brings the total a&rds Bince the start of the Policy and procedures were established in May f o r ,informing AEC and AEC c employees concerning occupational radiation exposure.which has been recorded been received by them during the period of their eniployment. This information available to any employee upon request. In addition, the employee w i l l be notified If his recorded accumulated radiation exposure exceeds any of the permfssible levels of ra