equipment; the radioactive effects of atomic explosions; a review of the analyses made in
Japan of the radioactive ash from the March 1954 Bikini explosions; long distance propogation and characteristics of the radioactive particles emitted in atomic‘’explosions; eventual
influences of atomic explosions on evolution; radioactivity in air and rain; radioactive
clouds; meteorological effects of atomic explosions; a general review of the biological
effects of ionizing radiation; medical problems posed by the immediate effects of atomic
explosions; cataracts received from explosions or research in atomic energy; atomic
radiation and aquatic life; biological danger from powders emitting beta rays; effect of
weak doses of radiation; ionizing radiation and the gases in atomic industry; and therapy
for radiolesions.

. Auerback, C. BIOLOGICAL HAZARDS OF NUCLEAR AND OTHER RADIATIONS. Nature
178, 453-54 (1956).
A comparison of authoritative digests by Great Britain and the United States was discussed. Both reports show that the present dangers arise mug more from excessive use
of x-rays than from bombfallout or from atomic energy establishments.
. Blifford, I. H., Friedman, H., Lockhart, L. B., and Baus, R. A.

TIME DISTRIBUTION OF RADIOACTIVITY IN THE AIR.
Terrestrial Physics 9, 1-17 (1956).

GEOGRAPHICAL AND

Journal of Atmospheric and

A report on the results of continuous measurements on both natural and fission product
radioactivity of the air at ground level over a 5-year period beginning in 1950.
. Blifford, I. H., Friedman, H., Lockhart, L. B., and Baus, R. A.

RADIOACTIVITY OF THE

AIR. Naval Research Laboratory Report No. 4760. Office of Technical Services, Washington 25, D. C. Report No. PB121222.
Since 1949 the Naval Research Laboratory has operated stations for the detection and

collection of atmospheric radioactivity. This report presents an analysis of some of the

results obtained. The concentrations in curies/cc of fission products in the air at ground
level from early 1951 through late 1954 is given in graphical form for a number of locations
in various parts of the world. Maximum activities of the order of 107! curie/ce were recorded after atomic explosions. It is apparent that the distribution of activity throughout
the earth’s atmosphere is not uniform. Correlations which have been made with both low
and high level wind trajectories, seem to show that the clouds of fission activity follow
fairly restricted paths. In considering the distribution of fission products from atomic explosions, it will not be valid to assume a uniform distribution in the total atmosphere of
even one hemisphere.

. Blifford, I. H. and Lockhart, L. B. RADIOACTIVITY OF THE AIR AND FALLOUT SAMPLES COLLECTED AT SITES ON THE 80th MERIDIAN DURING OCTOBER 1956. Naval
Research Laboratory Problem A02-13, Project No. NR 612 130. 3p. (1956).

10. Boroughs, H. METHOD OF PREDICTING AMOUNT OF STRONTIUM-89 IN MARINE
FISHES BY EXTERNAL MONITORING. Science 124, 1027-28 (1956).
11. British Atomic Scientists Association.

STRONTIUM HAZARDS.

The Lancet 878-9

(April 27, 1957}.
12. Campbell, Charles I. RADIOSTRONTIUM FALLOUT FROM CONTINUING NUCLEAR
TESTS. Sctence 124, 894 (1956).
Published data on the fallout of radiostrontium from nuclear tests are reviewed. Assuming a 10-year storage time and continuing test rate about twice that previously esti-

mated, it is calculated that the Sr*° accumulated on the ground after about 35 years would

be 80 cm/mi?. This would correspond to about 0.14 MPC units in the soil.

13. Caster, W.O.

STRONTIUM-90 HAZARDS.

Science 125, 1291-92 (1957).

14. Chapman, N. G. and Humphrey, R. W. AN INVESTIGATION OF THE VARIATION OF THE
ATMOSPHERIC RADIOACTIVITY AT WELLINGTON FROM 5 MAY TO 18 JULY 1955.
New Zealand Journal of Science and Technology, Section B 37, No. 3, 396-406 (1955).
The collection apparatus was situated 9 m above the local ground level and 130 m above
sea level. The filter paper collection method was used, a description of the apparatus used

158

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