3e4e4

Fallout at Elmer

Sscondary fallout was detected by beta laboratory background
counters at Elmer at about 24 hr after Shot 1; 11 to 16 hr and 45 to
100 hr after Shot 23 4 to 6 hr after Shot 4; and 12 to 14 hr after
Shot 6. The activities found were generally not over 50 times backe

groum and were not high enough to constitute a real hazard to person=
mele

365

GAMMA ACTIVITY
The Rad Safe Gamma ground readings (Appendix C) measured

shortly after each sot and which were apparently representative

ground readings were corrected back to one hour after each, shot, the

time by which the peak of significant activity had been reached. This
time was estimated from the time of arrival results obtained from the
intermittent fallout collector. The correction is made by the ex-

pression

where

t

1e2

ti

Ag is the observed activity at tim, t,
A, is the activity calculated at time, ty

The exponent 1.2 is an approximation. In the absence of the
actual exponent associated with the gamma decay its use lies within

the accuracy associated with the actual ground readings obtained and

the relatively short period of time involved in the extrapolation.
The survey readings resulting from contamination from previous shots
were subtracted as background in determining the level of activity
associated with a subsequent detonation. These dose rates are shown
in Figse 3218 to 3.22. Segments of isodose rate lines have been
drawn as solid lines where island dose rate readings, together with
wind vector data, make mch approximations reasonable. Where no data
was available, the isodose rate lines are shown as dashed lines.
Infinite gamma dosages, based on Rad Safe ground readings,
were also calculateds they indicate the hazard associated with permanent occupation of an area with the same degree of contamination.
These values are underlined in Figse 3018 to 3422.
3.6

BETA ACTIVITY CONCENTRATIONS

The total beta activity per unit weight or volume associated
with a sample composed of mixed nuclides is defined as the activity
concentration. It refers to the
plus the low energy gamma
activity detected by the beta counting equipment. As used here, the
activity concentration can be thougnt of as being similar to what is
usually referred to as the "specific activity" of a particular isotope
ina sample.
The activity concentration of the liquid phase collected in
the 8-oz jars was determined by counting an aliquot portion of the
filtrate after it had been evaporated to dryness. The activity con66.

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