Despite the Test Ban Treaty having been in effect
for nearly three years, we again find our attention being
directed towards the effects of radioactive fallout.
In
an article in this issue of Scientist and Citizen, Dr.
Charles Mays discusses the probable exposure of residents
of Utah to iodine 131 during the extensive 1951-55 test
series.
He points out that the data we have at our
disposal, though admittedly subject to many objections,
still forms the basis for recommending very strongly an
extended investigation.
Nearly three years ago,
considerable interest and
concern was aroused over this problem.
Retrospective
calculations indicated very strongly that many people,
living in the areas of Utah and Nevada near to the
weapons testing grounds, might have received much larger
doses of iodine 131 radiation than had been realized.
Evidence was presented at Congressional Hearings in 1963
and S/C was one of several journals which published
articles and correspondence on this topic.
Ina
confused situation which has resulted from insufficient
and poor data and poorer understanding, two points emerge
as being central to the discussion:
* The monitoring for iodine 131 was not carried
out at all in the beginning and iodine 131
levels must be inferred from other radioactivity
data, which are subject to dispute in their
validity and relevance.
* The "acceptable" or "permissible" levels of radiation
to which people may be subjected have themselves been
adjusted by the Federal Radiation Council,
occasioning
a protracted and completely unsatisfactory exchange with
CNI as to the bases for making these changes.
Perhaps by now readers may feel that this whole
subject has been exhausted and that S/C should turn to
more current problems.
Unfortunately, we cannot.
Dr. Mays again demonstrates,
as
the possible e¥fects of the
DOE ARCHIVES
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