~BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE Rongelap Ecological Studies The first phase of a long-term ecological survey of Rongelap Atoll was carried out during February and March. The object of the initial study was to determine the types of soil on the atoll, their approximate distribution, their chemical and physical properties, their relation to plant distribution, and the distribution of radioactive materials in soils, plants, and ground water. Field work consisted of reconnaissance surveys of Rongelap, Eniaetok, and Kabelle Islands, followed by detailed examination of soil profiles and collection of soil samples. An integral part of the Rongelap ecology study is the continuing program of monitoring the foodstuffs of the natives. This serves as a check on the radioisotopes ingested by the natives and also provides information required for food chain studies. Thirteen field rats collected on Rongelap Island during this trip were assayed for strontium 90 content of bone. The values obtained ranged from 268 to 926 strontium units, with an average value of 443, One pig bone was obtained, which gave an assay of 480 strontium units. A secondfield trip is planned for September 1958. (End of Rytion.) TREATMENT OF RADIATION DAMAGE GQ Studies continued at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory on the treatment of radiation injury by bone marrow transplants. In an experiment conducted on bone marrow cells in suspension the cells were protected from a dose of 800 roentgens of X irradiation by removing most of the oxygen in the cell suspension just before irradiation. Protection was judged by the ability of the irradiated marrow cells to promote recovery in mice exposed to a lethal dose of radiation. , Various chemical compounds were administered to mice in an effort to suppress the reaction which prevents the successful transplant of foreign bone marrow. Noneof these com- pounds proved to be effective, nor did diets deficient in specific vitamins have any effect on this reaction. are a RADIOLOGICAL ASSISTANCE PLAN .~ ce wok neon Procedures coordinating the capabilities of the AEC and the Department of Defense for handling all types of radiation incidents were established during the quarter. As reported in the Program Status Report for December 31, 1957, the AEC had certain capabilities for handling both onsite and offsite incidents, and joint AEC-Department of Defense procedures were already in existence for handling incidents involving nuclear weapons. The new radiological assistance plan applies to both weapon and nonweapon incidents arising in onsite contractor operations, offsite contractor or licensee establishments, or in other places as reported by either military or civil authorities. The plan provides for rapid response to a request for assistance at the scene of an incident by a team from the responsible AEC regional office, with assistance from the AEC-DOD Coordination Center at Sandia Base, New Mexico, if requested. The AEC issued a press release on June 10 describing the services available in the event of a radiation incident. Each AEC regional office sent letters describing the radiological assistance plan to contractors, licensees, and state and local governmentofficials in the geographical area under its jurisdiction. 40 SoA