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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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SPECIAL NUCLEAR MATERIALS CIVILIAN APPLJC ATION BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE Construction Progress Schedules *Transmitted as a separate document.
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Soil Sampling and Comparison of Collection Methods Studies involving the monitoring of the distribution of fallout over the surface of the earth have been extended. The analysis of gummed-paper samples from more than 100 stations ha8 been continued, and a larger number of soil samples from about 30 geographlcal locations outside the United States a r e being analyzed by the New York Health and Safety Laboratory to determine their radiostrontium content. In addition, the discrepancy between data collected by different techniques is being investigated. Data from gummed-paper samples are being comStates and abroad. Stations were selected for these comparative studies in a manner which would provide samples from a variety of climates. In the analysis of soil samples, studies a r e being conducted to establish the reliability of chemical methods for estimating not only the total strontium content but also the amount of strontium 90 available for plant uptake aa related to the available calcium content. Apared to those from collection pots placed a t about 20 gummed-paper stations i n the United A Distribution of Radiostrontium in Foodstuffs More information is being collected from foreign countries for research on the distribution of radiostrontium in foodstuffs. Samples both of foods in the composite diet and of huxnan urine a r e being collected in Turkey and the Philippines by survey teams of the Interdepartmental Committee on Nutritlon for National Defense, in which committee AEC is participating. The samples wfll be analyzed by the New York Health and Safety Laboratory. Information is also being collected on the foods which provide the major source of calcium, the per capita consumption, and the average calcium content of each foodstuff. These data may help to determine the importance of such factors as geographic location, calclum content of soils, and local dietarv habits in the distribution of strontium 90 in foodstuffs. I One of the major genetics projects supported by the AEC is the study of radiation-induced mutations in mice. In the United States, the mouse genetics project at Oak Ridge National Laboratory supplies the most important data available on induced mutations h mammals, on which extrapolations to human populations can be based. The United Kingdom has also been supporting at Barwell a amaller mouse genetics project, which is now being expanded. To ensure that the Sarwell and Oak Ridge projects a r e
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complementary and thus produce the maximum amount of data, the British Medical Research Council planned to sponsor a conference at Harwell on April 26, 1957. Three AEC geneticists were selected to attend the conference. REPATRIATION OF THE RONGELAPESE The Commission has determined that the degree of contamination on Rongelap Atoll has declined to an acceptable level for the return of the Rongelapese to their home island a s soon a8 rehabilitation procedures have been completed. The Rongelapese, the last of the Marshall Islanders to be returned to their home island, were evacuated from the atoll after the fallout of radioactive fission products from the March 1, 1954, detonation in the Eniwetok Proving Since their exposure to radioactive fallout in 1954, the Marshallese have received four complete medical examinations. The most recent examination was made in March 1957. P r e - liminary reports on this examination indicated no illnesses or other clinical conditions which could be related to radiation effects, and the people appeared to be recovering satisfactorily from radiation exposure. it appeared that the blood cell counts were about equal to those i n the unexposed people Blood counts. Although statistical analyses of blood examinations had not been completed, Skin burns from beta radiation showed continued improvement, and there were new indications that pigment was returning i n burn areas. There was no evidence of any malignancy in any of the scars resulting from radiation burns. radioactivity, a more sensitive measure of residual activity w a s used in the 1957 examination. Four persons from Rongelap, two from Utirik, and one unexposed person from Maluro, who served as a control for the experiment, were brought to Argonne National Laboratory, where total body radioactivity w a ~measured in the Human Radiation Detector (“Iron Room”). Detectable amounts of activity were still present, but they were only several times higher than those found in people in other parts of the world and were well below the accepted tolerance Deaths. The only deaths among the Rongelap people since the 1956 survey were one Body radioactivity. Because urinalyses made in 1956 showed little remaining body still-birth and the death of an infant a few hours after birth as a result of infection. These deaths were not believed to be related to radiation effects. Utirik. About 130 people who had been exposed to slight amounts of fallout on the island of Utirik were also examined. They were found generally to be i n good health, with no illnesses or clinical conditions which could be related to radiation effects. Radiation could not be established a8 a factor in the six deaths which had occurred on Utirik during the threey e a r period. This death rate was not considered to be unusual. External Gamma Dose Rates The radiation survey of Rongelap Island in July 1956 showed gamma values ranging from 0.2 t o 0.5 milliroentgen per hour, with an average of 0.4 milliroentgen per hour. Estimates of decay indicated that dose rates at the time of repatriation will be less than 30 milliroentgens per week. It was also estimated that the gamma dose on Rongelap will be about 0.5 roentgen
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Plans have been made for a long-term study of the effects of environmental conditions and processes on plant and animal life on Rongelap Atoll and in adjacent waters. An effort will also be made to determine the relationship between biological systems of the land and the sea. Climatic data will be collected on temperature, rainfall, light intensities, wind, and relative humidity. Lndlgenous soil factors will be analyzed by mapping of soil and radiation patterns, and aquatic features will be studied in both fresh and salt water. An inventory of plant and animal life will include the determination of species association; mapping of vegetation patterns; plant and animal population studies; study of the production, utilization, exchange, and transfer of mineral and organic materials between the land and sea; sampling of the lagoon bottom; and sampling for radioactivity i n selected plants and animals. This study is expected to begin about the time the Rongelap people a r e returned to their home island. NEW EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM By formal agreement with the American Institute of Biological Sciences, AEC has arranged to provide lecturers in biology to small colleges and universities throughout the United States. Forty-one members of AEC staffs at laboratories and other installations have volunteered to lecture and consult with students during three- to five-day visits at nearby institutions. The first visits were made during March, but the program is not expected to be in f u l l operation until the fall semester of 1957. (End of UNCLASSIFIED section.)