JFFICIAL USE ONL. The 14ist meeting of the Advisory Committee for Biology and Medicine was held January 7-8, 1972, at AEC Headquarters and the "H'" St. Office. Members present were Drs. R. D. Moseley, Jr. (Chairman), C. A. Finch, A. J. Haagen-Smit, T. A. Lincoln, W. J. Schull, P. R. Stout (Vice-Chairman), John B. Storer (Scientific Secretary), and Miss Rosemary Elmo (Executive Secretary). Dr. Clarence Larson was present representing the Commission. A very large number of Headquarters personnel from the Division of Biology and Medicine and also from other Divisions, as well as representatives from other agencies, were also in attendance. (Dr. Richard Fred, Bureau of Radiological Heaith, PHS; Dr. Neal Nelson, Radiological Toxicological Branch, EPA; Dr. Charles Liddle, EPA; Dr. Wayne Hanson, Technology Assessment Division, EPA). Dr. Moseley called the meeting to order and asked Dr. Totter for any announcements. Dr. Totter introduced new staff members of DBM. (Drs. Anderson, Sanders, Watters, and Marks, and Mr. Kondulis.) He then asked Dr. Larson if he had any comments. Dr. Larson indicated an intense interest on the part of the Commission in the biological effects of plutoniun, especially in view of the anticipated large number of fast breeder reactors. Dr. Totter introduced the scientific program which had been organized by Dr. William Bair. The initial portion of the program was presented by representatives from divisions other than DBM. Following this, DBM representatives summarized the current status of its studies on plutonium toxicity. The first presentation was by Dr. McVey from the Division of Reactor Development. His presentation was concerned with the future requirements of plutonium as a reactor fuel. By going to fast breeder reactors it will be possible to use about 80% of the naturally occurring uranium in the world, The fast breeders will utilize depleted uranium as a source of energy and it is expected that the breeding ratio will be 1.27. By the year 2000 it is expected that the total inventory of plutonium-239, principally in reactors, will be between 1000 and 2000 metric tons. Even by 1980, there will be about 50 tons of plutonium inventory in power reactors in the United States. Even at the present time and increasingly so in the future, waste disposal and the decommissioning of facilities is concerned mainly with the hazard from plutonium rather than from fission products. In the light water reactors there is an appreciable amount of energy released from the fission of plutonium. The Division of Reactor Development and Technology is now focusing its effort on the liquid metal fast breeder reactors. Dr. McVey considered potential sources of release of plutonium. The first of these is in the fabrication of reactor components (fuel elements). This work is now done in glove boxes but the hope is that it will be possible to go increasingly to automation. He went into a general OFFICIAL USE ONLY