SAI Bam we ¥ [i t 4 ee Biomedical Program Directors Meeting. { The Biomedical Program Directors of 1:0 wet atBrookhaven Hs on February 1, and 15, 19526 fhe session opened with a classified syaposium on tritium toxicity. flesearch reports from AEC laboratories were presented on physiological and toxicological studies of tritiua in laboratory animals and in san. It appears that the major portion of all tritiu: water present as vapor in inspired air ise rapidly taken up by the membranes of the lung. Tritiue water absorption through the akin of man oacurs at about the sane rate that water normally is lost outward through the skin, which fy reasenably rapii, The biological half-tine of tritium water la the body fluide of human beings ranges from 9 to 14 days on a normal water intake. Rosearch at Los Alamos hag shown that this half-time can be ppdiuced to 2-1/2 days or less, by high water intake; tuis method leads to a possible means of treatuent of accidently exposed persennel. It was calculated that without treataent, about three ailligrams of pure tritium water would be an approximate lethal dose to man. Sinee all organic biological) compounds contain hydrogen, tritium as a potential research tool is of major interest to Dholosists. Synthesis with tritium may be easier than with C-li, and there may be lesa stringent restrictions in its use in the research laboratory, Another factor is that tritium is inexpensive and available in large quantities. The cost of tritdum ia approximately 10 cents ver afliicuries as compared to 337 per millicurte for C~14, Following the tritium report, papers were given on the physiological and genetic effects of x-irradiation on plants, becteria, and aninsle. 7OU THIAL HEALTH Conference of Yadioactive Mensuremento of Freight shipments (Unclay.i fied). This conference was held at the New York Operafiona “‘fice on Janary 30-31, 1952. Attending were representatives of the Washington Division of Slology and Medicine; the New York, it. Louis and Cleveland Offices of A&C, and the following companies: Mallinekrodt, and Vitre. Middlesex National Lead, United Lead, Harshaw, The purpose of the conference was to study the probleas associated with shipments of radioactive materials. The topics discussed included: (1) a thorough understamiing of the need for decontamination of vehicles used in transportation of radioactive materials; (2) a uniform policy of d econtani~nation metheds and subsequent monitoring procedures; and (3) recommendations for interpretation of ICC regulations to effect more uniform and realistic policies. OFFICE p |... SURNAME > |.--2- DATE |.--.--------------_-..--_---|_---- een [leneee.Tenner n ee eeeenenen ee ee e eee ee Form AEC-318 U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 16—62761-2 - DOSARCHIVES