$01G-104
Sonia
UNITED STAI
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TO
FROM
GOVERNMENT
nT
d:
105449
: A. R. Luedecke, General Manager
THRU: E, J. Bloch, AGMO
Nathan H. Woodruff, Director
Division of Operational Safety
DATE:
JUN 1) 19¢>
7/,¥/-
SUBJECT: CISTERN WATER CONTAMINATION - CENTRAL PACIFIC
OS: RADAC: REA
I have received preliminary information from the Division of
Operational Safety liaison representative on Christmas Island
that a cistern water sample from the island of Tongareva
(about 800 miles south of Christmas Island) collected on
May 13, 1962 contained fresh fission products, It is indicated
that detailed analysis is not yet available, but preliminary
data indicate significant quantities of iodine-131. JT¥F-8
personnel are conducting a detailed survey ofthis situation
and will supply us with report as soon as analytical data are
available.
CLASSIFICATION CANCELLED
This is the first reported contamination detected off the
the test exclusion area for Operation Dominic, From the preliminary data it appears that this occurrence has not created
a significant hazard to people, No countermeasures have been
planned by JIF-8 rad-safety personnel,
ec:
Director, MA
Director, BM
Deputy Director, 0S
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