JFFICIAL USE ONL” Mr. G. Dix, of the Division of Space Nuclear Systems, discussed past and projected requirements for nuclear devices in connection with the space program. To date, 324,000 curies of plutonium-238 have been launched in connection with the space program. Three of the thirteen devices containing plutonium-238 were aborted. About 100,000 curies of plutonium-238 was involved in these aborted missions, It is expected that in 1972 approximately 200,000 curies will be launched. The Division of Biology and Medicine is actively involved in the safety evaluation of each device. There is an additional interface in that the aerial radiological monitoring survey system developed by the Civil Effects Branch under Mr. Joe Deal is available to assist in the recovery of sources from aborted missions, At present there are four plutonium-238 packages on the moon and three of these are operating at a capacity of 70 watts. Mr. Dix then discussed projected launches and the requirements for plutonium-238. He reviewed the conceptual design of future spacecraft. The design for the SNAP devices is now for containment of the radioactivity rather than for burn-up in the atmosphere. He closed by emphasizing the cooperation with DBM and their dependency on DBM for help with safety problems. Mr. Robert Catlin, of the Division of Operational Safety, discussed problem areas with respect to plutonium from the point of view of his Division. The first area concerned the question of radiation standards with respect to plutonium. With the abolishment of the Federal Radiation Council, there is presently no interface between the AEC and other agencies. The Environmental Protection Agency has the responsibility for standards but it will be some time, apparently, before guidance is provided by EPA. He identified two areas specifically that make it difficult to establish standards, One is that the rate and extent of translocation of plutonium in the body is poorly understood, The second is that the environmental pathways by which plutonium can reach human beings are poorly defined. Another difficult area for the Division of Operational Safety concerns the question of cleaning up and releasing to the public previously contaminated areas. Such areas are typified by the Bikini Atoll, the area around the Rocky Flats plant and the Nevada test site. He pointed out that at present there is a lack of emergency guidelines which specify action levels for certain levels of plutonium contamination. In the medical area there is presently an insufficiently sensitive method for detection of plutonium body burdens in the human body. Improved methods of therapy for removal of plutonium would also be very helpful. A final point which he considered a problem area was the question of public acceptance of plutonium as a fuel for energy generation in the future. Dr. Moseley asked whether the National Council on Radiation Protection is preparing a report on plutonium. Mr, Catlin thought that they were. Dr. Haagen-Smit asked about EPA's relation to the Division of Operational ~ 4 - OFFICIAL USE ONLY