PRIVACYACT MATERIAL REMOVED » obe Subj: Operetion Sandstone. Radiation Injuries - 7/27/48 - Page 2 _o¢ oe Oey The first indication of possible overexposure was noted by —_ -, who reported to the Los Alamos Laboratory Health Division for examination (sea Exhibits C and D). As noted by Dr. L. Hempelmann (Exhibit ¥), received the least serious burns, and early examination of injuries led to an erroneous diagnosis ag . being due to a bruise. This unfortunately resulted in the forward area's not being advised, before the Zebra Test, of the excessive dosages — poseible in the procedures used at Enivetok. Development of the film badges of ths personnel involved in Zebra Test operations disclosed that received appreciable doses. The film badges were developed at Enivetok after the men had elready departed for the Btates, but the information was passed on to the Laboratory by teletype (see Frhibit F). The injuries received by were sufficient so that mo question was involved in the diepnosis, and eltogether were hospitalized on 16 May 1948. public press release was made 17 May (see Exhibit G). A Also on 17 May, Dr. J. G. Hoffman, a consultant, interviewed thesemen (see Exhibits E, I, J and K), and on 24 May he submitted reports on dosage estimates and general observations (see Exhibits L and m). The injuries appeared to be due only to Beta radiation, and no sickness was incurred, although the men will be kept in the hospital until a nev ekin growth is assured. was released on 28 May end are still hospitalized (they are allowed to leave the hospital for exercise periods, but return for meals and eleeping). in Exhibit KE. IIT. A medical history of the cassa to date is given CONCLUSIONS 1. Radiological: From the medical report, the injuries received by the men appear to be due only to Beta rediation, and from the estimates made by Dr. Hoffman, the Beta activities per ghset of filter paper were of the order of .5 curie or less; with this source strength a dose of 500 rep at a depth of 2 to 3 ma could have been produced in 90 minutes (estimated time the men wore gloves), provided .1% of the Beta activity on a aheet vas transferred to the glove. The gloves used in the operations vere destroyed immediately after use and no measures of radioactivity were rade upon then. 2e Operational: For handling the filter sheets tongs vere provided, and it is believed that had they been properly used, excess dosages would not have . PRIVACY ACT MATERIAL REMOVED . COPIED/DOE = “ge Lateline I — Critpely ee