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Declassified record · U.S. Department of Energy

1246TH AEC 141/33 Meeting - Radiological Criteria for the Nevada Test Site

Dated
Nov 14, 1956
Document type
Meeting minutes
Length
9 pages
Open the original scanArchive record OSTI ID 16382076 · public domain

Document text

Machine-read from the scan, so expect some errors. Lines that couldn’t be read are left out.

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tion from fallout to populationsaround the Nevada Test 9ite. Mr, Murray referred to the statement in the staff paper that the operationalguide be arbitrarily establishedat 10 roentgens in a period of 10 years and said this matter raised the question of the extent of the exposure to the people living in the neighborhood of NTS. Mr. Murray added that he believed this matter also raised the question of the desirabilityof establishing WIthOIItraising such questions as on the extent of exposures to gamma a second or third test orfg!nlz?.tion in order that tests could be conducted in the Pacific could be conducted in the Pacific more fr~qllently.Mr. Strauas referred to his previous suggestionthat all Lcsts be moved to the Pacific and said that he believed if this were done, the

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Commissionwould not bc faced with many problems such as a I determinationof radiologicalsafety criteria. He expressed p~,r~icul~r concern over the proposed underryound shots. establishmentof 10 roent~ens finds~id that during discussion of this matter by t!-)eAdviuory Committee on Biology and Medicine, the f,CBMhad indicated that the Nationol Academy of Science had also arrived at its figures of 10 rocnt~ens in .130-year period in an method of meacuremcnt ~n establishingthcflecriteria. In response to a question by Mr. Murray, Dr. Dunning said that the ACBM had cliocussedthis subject and.that there was general agreement among all testfiin the Pat?.fi.cand avoi,dingthe extensive facilities incllcascclcosts and time would be involved in conductingall tests in t!lePacific, He then commented on the time req~fred for ,, supporting groups, and transportingthe necessary technical

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Saboratofiiesto conduct their own I personnel from the various \ Mr. Libby commented on the possibilityof establishingthe 10-year limit at 5 roentgens and transferringadditionalbut not all shots to the Pacific. He then discu;sed~iithDr. Dunning ways remain within a 5 roentcen level. Mr. Libby then sa;idhe believed the recommendfltionsof AEC 141/33 should be approved and that the record of the discussionat the meetin[;should be C.guide to the test organizationin !Wrthcr study of operntiorl~.1means of limiting fallout. He also suggested that there should be further study Of the practicalityof establishin~a 5 roentgen level for Dunrlingsaid that he believed it was much announce a 10 rocntgen level and to point out later had not becrl exceeded N.ther than to explain why n more stringent5[

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weapons proCrm M n result of the consequentneed to transfer any of cost was so importnnt to this question r-~the delay in the weaponc program. He added that it would be a very serious matter if the study showed tha’cgoing to the Pacific would delay the The Commissionersdiscussed at length with Dr. Dunning the flexibility and su~;~estedthfl.tthis level be accepted with the review operational factors of the proposed test in order to, “r ~ reduce fallout and to remain well below the 10 roentgen level.

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Mr. Libby inquired about reports on fallout patterns earlier teats in Nevada and su~gested that he review these reports to determine to what extent this informationhas affected planning for Operation PILGRIM. Dr. Dunning said that studies were being made of fallout data from Prevlolls AEC 141/33 1)0opproved, subject to finil Commission con:;idel>athat khe ctafl’should study the various fr.ctor~involved in that the staff paper on the specific shot program contain figure’son the estimated roentgens cloonflcfrom off3ite fallout for the shots conducted at NTS.

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The Commissioners then discussed at length with the staff IV test activities for CY 195”{ancl Lssulng a press release in view radiological criteria and the possible transfer of tests to the the Commission approve tilerecommend~ationof the paper under disc[u33ion,subject to review of reports on fallout data. Mr. Strauso said t!latwith respect to the letter to the Prenidenk (AEC 944), he could de].aythis letter in order to permit Mr. Libby to review the reports. includin~ a statement on the radiologicalcriteria in the

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public announcementon the test series. In response to a question\ dations of AEC 141/33 which would Prevent the Comml.ssj.onfrom referring to the NAS report as r.nauthority on the matter of Mr. Murrny referred to Mr. Salisburyfn comments on the need to include the establishedradiolop;icclcriterin in inhepublic announcementand suggested that the Press release be delayed until Mr. Libby reviewed the reporto on fallout Chi;?.. Mr. Murray said that he did not wish to approve the paper ~lltil the ten roentgen figure in it until this had been done. ‘1’heCommissionersthen discussed the problem i12volveclin dclsying the p~i~licannouncement General Starbird commented on the time involved in obtaining DOD npproval of the test activities outlined in L!%C944. Mr. Salisbury obsel’vedthr.tthe announcementwould be reviewed by the -i

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Libby observed that there appeared to bc ample time to review the fallotltdata reports pr~cm to a public announcement. position bz confirmed in Mr. Libby would estnblish the 10-yea.rlimit on exposure at a gamm radiation set forth in paragraph 3 of AEC 141\33, with the understandingthat after review of radiatl.on effects data, CommissionerLibby may establish the 10-

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year limit at a lower level than that referred to in b. Noted that the criteria finally establishedin to tllccriteria Iinally establishedin :Iccordancc ‘cccimicalrjuidanceof the Division of Biology and cstabl.ish~?d,ti~cJoint Committee on Atomic Energy, the GhC, and the MLC will be advised of this CWklOn by letter similar to that in Appendix %’1 to AEC 141/33,