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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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This surveywas preliminaryto a conferenceat Holmes& Nax%reroffices in Los Angeles on ways ad meansfor decontaminateing the Shot Islands. it was decidedthat decontaminationshouldbe (1) First,removingand dumpingintothe sea all of t@ radioactive scrap, (e.g.radioactivesteeldebris)that couldbe located. (2) Second,wettingthe soil to allaydust, and bulldozingthe top layer to bury the generallydispersedradioactivecontamination. Note Sinee it might a~ear that buryingthe contsmination would nut entirelysolvethe problemfi an area where subsequentexcavationwrk would be necessary,a digressionis made bre to set forththe reasoning upon whith this method of disposalwas based. On accountof the great penetrattig power of gamna rays in air, ssach of the radiationexposureof a man standingin a contaminatedarea is due to distantradioactivematerial. F% the kind of gamma radiation existingon the Shot Islands,80 or 90% that all of the radioactivematerialis subsequentlya 20 foot diameterhole is of the exposureis due to than 10 feet. Supposethen dug. Sqpose that the hole is dug in such a way as to exposethe previouslycoveredradioactivity the man could at most receive10 to 20’%of the radiationexposurewhich he would have receivedif the decontaminaticmby burial had not been done.
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This theoreticalcalcuhtion is conservative.Underpracticalconditions experierce has shownthat this methodof decentamination is even more HealthDivision,LASL, was on duty as Rad-Safe Officer duringthe periodapproximately13 Februaryto 15 March 1949 to supervisethe removalof the radioactivescrapfxwm EngebiIsland. He leftwhen it was decidedthat no furtherwork would be done in contaminatedareas until some months later,when systematicdecontaminationwould be underconducteda scientificinvestigationof the situationwith special emphasison the radioactivecontmt of dust cm the Shot Islands. He was unableto detectany significant kickedup by any ordinaryactivities into the air by artificialmeans,he quantityof radioactivityin dust cm the Islands. By stirringup dust was able to obtain He concludedthat there was not enoughradioactivityin a healthproblem,and that the proposalto wet the soil the dust to be to wet the earth 1 anyway,to be absolutelysafe). In addition,Dr. Ray supexwisedthe 1 removalof radioactivescrapfrom the Shot IslandsA~n and Runit,end preparedthree recordedlecturesfor the instruction of contractor (20 May 1949), sD-226 (3 June 1949),sD-358 (17 June 1949),SD-359
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was made by Dr. Simon Shlaer,starting25 February. The followingis 7 excerpted from his report (Confidential) to W. A. hrtist AEZ Resideti The islandswere surveyedwith MX-6 monitoringinstruments sensitiveonly to gammas. The permissibleweeklydose at the presenttime In the laboratoryat Los Alamosis 300 milliroentgens (MR.) per week. With the presentwork week at Eniwetok of 54 hours,the madmum dose rate for continuousexposureis zero was found withinthe 1,000 foot radiusfrom hour can be found. per hour for . basecould beNO idication of the positionof the old tower detectedwith the instruments.Metal scrapwith activities as high as 3.5 MR. per hourcan be found $#t outsidethe graded area, both seaward and alongthe zero line. Top soil samplesfrcmthe ~icinityof the location for the new tower were collectedand beta activityof this has been measuredto evaluatethe necessityof moisteningthe soil
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To L. Shipman,M.D. DATE: 16 June 1953 The measurementsshowedthat when an unshieldedG. M. tube ness, the Victoreenmodel 263 showsabout 1 MR. per hour activity. Thoughthis cannotbe evaluatedin a preciseway it would seem that moisteningthe soil wuld be desirable.’. . This excerptincluiesall of the informationrebtive b conditi”~s Ton the islandof Engebithat is containedin his report~ Shortlythereafter,anothersurveywas made by Gen. Cooneyand Mr. Aeby. The sensitiveonly to gacmas. the informationcontafiedin their report The permissibleueeklydose at the presenttime in the laboratoryat Los Alamosis 300 milliroentgens(MR.) per week. With the presentwork week at fold to have the maxlnnndose rate for continuous ma tithtithe 1,000foot radiusfrom zero an activitybelow 1 MR. per hour for the Wo fidkcation of the positionof the old tower base couldbe ““’ Shlaer?sreportof 1 March 1950 has been removedto the lagoon side, well out of the workingarea. The grading operationson s islandhave been completed,
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As of this date, 3/z/50, a tihtis of Eniwetokatoll are declined radiationhazard,with the exceptionof the tower area on which shouldbe completedwithinone month. on Eniwetokatoll and sane Army personnel as the Navy personnelon Parry Island. A total of about 900 film These film badgesare designedto detectionizingradiatia, and from the above it*is shownthat no radiationhazardexistsexcepton Eberiruand Runit. At ~esent, the film badge industryis running at full peak in orderto supplythe demandfor essentialwork. tests here. The productionof this numberof badges seriousproblenof SUpplYP It appearsthat we are not judgmentin using so many film badgeswhere no ionizing The processingof this large numberof film badgesties up the entire film badge processingdepartmentat Los Alamosfor several Furthermore,the wearingof film badgespresentsan unfavorable exist in the presenceof these protectivemeasures~ It is thereforerecommended,subjectto the approvalof the discontinuedinmediate ept the worz
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Runit, and that these be discontinuedas soon as gradingoperations on this islandare completed. A few monthslater,afterall decentatiatia operationshad been completed, Sticethis was the final survey,the completereport (SD-~17) is appetied. After the departureof Mr. Aeby and Dr. White cm 13 May 1950, no Rad-~fe Offher was assignedto the AEC ResidentlU@neer becauseit was believed