VIII.
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BRAFT
FALLOUT FROM ATMOSPHERIC NUCLEAR WEAPONS TEST IN PACIFIC AREA
OPERATION DOMINIC
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During 1962, there were 35 nuclear devices detonated in the
atmosphere above the Pacific Ocean near Christmas Islend and
Johnston Island.
The yield ofthese devices ranged from low kilo-
ton to the megaton range,
The height of burst for all detonations
was sufficient to negate local radioactive fallout.
The devices
were delivered to the point of detonation by either manned air-
craft or surface-to-air missiles.
In addition to the atmospheric tests; there was one under-—
water test, a low yield nuclear device, detonated in the Fastern
Pacific Ocean several hundred miles from the closest land area and
remote from any commercial fishing ereas.
This underwater test
deposited all of the fission product radiosctivity in the ocean
where it decayed and was mixed and diluted by sea water.
The radiological safety program for the test series was a
Joint effort among the Joint Task Force Eight (JTF-8) personnel,
U. 8. Public Health Service personnel assigned to JTF-8 for the
test and personnel from the University of Washington,. Seattle,
Washington, under contract to the U. S. Atomic Energy Commission.
The on-site program consisted primarily of air and DeckerateCHIVE
monitoring and personnel and equipment monitoring on Christass
Island and Johnston Island.
The off-site program consisted of a
series of cruises by the 0.R Gilbert for collecting environmental
samples in the Central Pacific area and a network of 19 monitoring
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