There were no uncontrolled incidents of exposure to radiation since 1967 when the radiography section came under the cognizance of the present department. Since discovery of some radiation levels at the 13 MeV facility, a lead shield was installed in front of the control room, and the door to the control room waskept shut during radiation production. . The statement also indicated that there was no known information on possible prior exposures but that some exposure may have occurred at one of the 2 MeVfacilities where claimant had worked but that such exposures would be “minimal”, Ciaimant was assigned to supervise the operation of these X-ray facilities and was for !% years solely responsible for the interpretation of all radiographs. During this period be averaged 50 - 60 hours per week and read, interpreted and reported on approximately 10,000 radiographs a month. Due to lack of space he utilized the control room of the 13 MeV facility. For the period of 1965 to 1970, claimant was present in the control room for about 500 hours of beam time of the 13 MeV unit. Claimant was also sent to various other government andprivate industry facilities to interpret radiographs, set up X-ray procedures, and train technicians in the field of film interpretation. In a statement concurred in by the employing laboratory the claimant said: The radiation survey taken... showed by instrument a count of 2 mR/hr of X-ray and 2 mR/hr of fast neutrons on my desk in the control room. This count converted to Rem showsa radiation per hour count seven times greater than allowed by the Atomic Energy Commission and the National Bureau of Standards which is 3 mRem/hr. The conversion: X-ray 2 mMR/hr. x RBE x 1 Fast Neutrons 2 mR/hr. x RBE x 10 = 2mRemf/hr. = 20 mRemfhr. 20 Si Cs es * & Diagnosis is hypertension of a tabile type. This hypertension may he essential or may be the result of the second diagnosis, i.e., anxiety reaction. Its lability is in support of its etiology in part being secondary to (claimant's) anxiety. This medical department has not been responsible for continuing care and treatment of (claimant’s) problem. Intermittent observation indicates probable adequate control by use of mild tranquilizers and anti-hypertensive medications. “‘Cure’’ of (claimant's) problem is not anticipated. ess & I have little doubt that (claimant’s) anxiety is a by-product of his occupation in that he is most concerned that high energy radiation exposure has made him an unhealthy man. This concern has led to his constant anxiety. His hypertension may or may not be a result solely of his anxiety. There is no evidence to support or refute the premise that (claimant’s) problems are the result of physical damage caused by high energy radiation. Various statements from the claimant’s private physician indicated that claimant was “very anxious’; he seemed to have @ “fixation on the bombardment with irradiation which he gets at work”; that he continued to have hyperventilation syndrome and that “even the slightest little thing seems to turn him into a severe anxiety reaction”. The physician stated: ... possibility must be considered of being exposed to fast neutrons and high energy X-rays causing these symptoms of fatigue and weakness. .. The Rem factors above are catcutated from tow energy X-ray machines, not from high energy output X-ray equipment. The Bureau's Medical Director was of the opinion that claimant should continue under medical supervision. the 13 MeV X-ray facility, there appears to be unknownfactors in the biological effects of low doses of high energy radiation accumulated over a period of time. BEC’s Decision: The Bureau accepted the claim for hypertension with anxiety Coupled with the unknown factors in the radiation surveys taken at reaction and granted authority for necessary medical treatment. Medical Evidence: A statement from the employing laboratory’s Medical Officer read in pertinent part as follows: in summary... patient has complained for about two years of intermittent fatigue, weakness, dizziness, mild chest pains and dyspnea. (Claimant) has for years worked with high energy X-ray equipment. He is certain that this exposure has caused damage to his health and that the above symptomsare manifestations of this damage. Physical findings on all occasions since 1968 in this Dispensary have been positive, only in the finding of elevated blood pressure. 144 reper ee te ee A a ee ee | 145