inthe present maximum permiss ble concentration for radium. They
indicate the risk of development of bone cancer from x-ray or gamma
exposure in industry is insignificant. There is brief mention of
skin cancer as induced by radiation, and thyroid gland cancer. Again
the likelihood of this sort of thing from industrial exposure under
modern controlled conditions is insignificant except, of course, in

the event of accidental overexposure,

Radiation cataracts are mentioned as a hazard subject to

ready control. ©

This report seams to understate effects of radiation on

life span which has been so clearly proved in experiments with animals

at, to be sure, radiation doeses somewhat above permissible levels.
The National Academy of Sciences report emphasizes this effect and
cites the reduced life expectancy of American radiologists.

Both reports mention effects of radiation on develop
fetuses, and the temporary sterility in males exposed to a few hundred

roentgens at a single exposure.

The British report is totally

reassuring on the effects of occupational exposures on fertility.

-"' -

Chapter IV is a very lengthy genetics effects discussion
with many figures, tables and calculations and a critique of the
Atomic Bomb Casualty Commission genetics study in Japan, This is a
highly technical discussion and comes out with the same conclusions

as does the National Academy of Sciences, namely that a dose of °

radiation which would double the mtation rate of a relatively small

group of prospective parents would produce no noticeable effects.
"For levels of radiation up to the doubling dose, and even some way

beyond, the genetics effects of radiation are enly appreciable when
reckoned over the population as a whole and med cause na alarm to’
the individual on his own account,"

Chapter V discusses natural radioactivity -- radiation from

appurtenances of civilization and occupational exposure to radiation.
The report concludes that diagnostic medical ‘x-rays produce exposures

to the germ cells of the order of 22% that of background’ and constitute

the most important source of man-made irradiation. It is estimted
that the United Kingdom. Atomic Energy Authority's employees receive
an average does of 0. hr per year.
NAS
The estimated external radiation exposure to people jn

Great Britain from fallout from all past nuclear teats has been quite
minimal, "™... Including all ordinary atomic bombs exploded before
December 1955, and calculating all of the radioactivity which they

have contributed and-will contribute ever the next 50 years, it is
found that the total dose which a man, continuously out of doors,

day and night, would receive is 0.005 r, To this dose from ordinary
atomic bombs must be added the does of thermonuclear weapons. For
these latter the dose from the radioactivity still to be deposited is
-2REPRCDUCED FRON THE COLL
ECTIONS

OF TiE ARCHIVES OF THE

NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIE
NCES

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