—27=
The Chas.rman inquired whether lethality were the best criterion of
damage.
Dr. von Neumann thought that forced evacuation of an area was
a very important consideration,
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.
Dr. Fisk suggested that the Committee point out their interest in |
fall-out studies from bothoffensive and defensive points of view.
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The
Committee agreed that the staff seemed to have considered the problem
very well, but that these studies on fall-out, dosage, rates of decay,
etc., should continue.
.
The members agreed with Mr. Whitman! s suggestion that the Committee
should recomend that the Coumission get out some authoritative informa
tion on the fall-out problem as
= soon as possible.
ALL agreed that an
incorrect statement could cause trouble but that periodic public statements on fall-out effects, similar to Mr. Strauss! statement on the
CASTLE tests, would be very helpful.
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The Committee then considered several aspects of the world-wide
long-range fall-out problem,
—
Dr. von Neumann mentioned that the Sunshine
" gtudiés indicated that about 20,000 megatons seemed to be the limit with
a concept of "tolerance" that may be too strict.
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Dr, Wigner pointed out that radioactive strontium absorbed by plants
soon finds its way into the life cycle of animals andmen, andthat a total .
of three or four kilograms of Pu, incorporated into the bodies of mer,
would give every living person a lethal dose,
Dr. von Neumann remarked
that strontium seemed to seek out humans but that plutonium did not; Dr,
Rabi pointed out that we could not form conclusions on the basis of the
Rongerik natives but that the entire ecological problem had to be faced,
He suggested that studies be stepped up in this field.
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