Document text
Machine-read from the scan, so expect some errors. Lines that couldn’t be read are left out.
Page 2
ATOMIC ENWGY COMMISSION ----NOTE TO EDITORS AND CORRESPONDENTS: Attached isa news release concerning a home radiation shielding pro & unto be carried out i n Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The first t e s t of a series win start Because of the unique nature of the tests, - the first mer corducted i n a populated, residential area, newsmen may wish t o witness and photograph the initial ing will be given by those actually carrying out the tests and personnel responsible for the national program for the Commission. for questions and answers. Following the Me fin g, those attending Kill be taken t o the test house t o see the equipment and t o-witness the actual test. We have arranged a press briefing just prior t o the first test. The briefThe briefing will give an opportunity The briefing i s scheduled for 1p.m., July 21, a t Ridge Recreation Hall Photographs of the t e s t equipment and similar shots are available should you need them f o r pre-test coverage. I n connection with our planning, we would appreciate being informed i n advance i f you plan t o attend the briefing and test. Also, if you have q questions or need any assistance i n connection with hotel mservations, etc., Public Information Qffice Atomic Energy Commission Oak Ridge, Tennessee Telephone: Oak Ridge 5-86u.
Page 3
ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION Oak Ridge, Tennessee Information f o r Press, Radio and TV (No. 653) FIRST OAK -RIDGE HOUSE SHI EUX NG EST SCHEDUIED BY COMMISSION FOR JUIS 21 The first test of a series t o obtain data on the shielding protection afforded by houses against radiation from fallout will be held July 2 1 i n the City of Oak Ridge, S. R. Sapirie, Manager of the Atomic Energy Cods sion l sOak Ridge Operations, announced today. The home of M r . and Mrs. C. A. Keller, 106 Norwood Lane, will be used for the initial test. Keller is Director of the Production Division of Oak Ridge The Keller home is a cemesto type "DlI with a partial basemnt. The Commission first announced the test on July 9, pointing out that homes were t o be selected later for the tests. volunteered their houses. Subsequently, mom than 30 residents Selection of six t o eight additional homes will be The test at the Keller home will follow a briefing session for representatives of news media, invited civil defense representatives from the regional headquarters and state and local governments, and the Oak Ridge City Council. news represerrtatives will be invited t o witness the first test. The guests and The briefing w i l l be given by John A. Awder, of the Oak Ridge National Laboratoryts Health Physics Division, who is directing the t e s t s ; and Robert L. Corsbic
Page 4
Deputy Assistant Director f o r Radiation Protection, of the Cornmission's Division of Biology and Medicine, Washington, ID. C. The tests are intended to provide data that may be of considerable interest for the national Civil defense effort. The ido mati on will be used for comparison with theoretical calculations. Eventually, the data also may enable an individual home owner t o assess the radiation protection furnished by his house and the various locations within the house. Although the tests are intended'primarily t o provlde general data applicable toam locale, they will fur fish the Conmission with specific information on the fallout afforded emplayees of the Commission and its operating carried out ly IqrdraUlicaUy moPing the radiation source through a plastic tube placed around and mer the house. Radiationdetection in s tmnt s inside the house w i l l record the qmunt of radiation received a t various locations. Similar measurements were made laqt year on unoccupied houses at the Commission's Nevada Test Site, but the Oak Ridge series is designed t o take into account ad&-- t ional housing types and the effects of such factors as uneven terrain, basements, source was t o be and proamity of other structures. cobalt 60 source will be used for the first test. A 20-curie used, but a smaller om was chosen so t h a t fewer residents surrounding the test house would have t o evacuate t h e i r homes during the time measurements are being taken. Residents need t o leave t h e i r homes only when the radiation source i s outside i t s shielded container -- about two hours. The tests will be carried out so as t o represent no hazard t o the families and neighbors participating nor t o the general public. No residual radiation o r
Page 5
contamination results from the tests. ing in conjunction with the Oak Ridge Police Department will assure that the t e s t house and surrounding area remains clear of personnel and free from hazard. Health physics and safety personnel work-