OFFICIAL USE ONLY STANDARD FORM NO. 64 TED STATES GOVERNMENT Office Memorandum * UNI : sunyect: Re Hirsch a BC Staff Report on NAS Rediation Study 1. Attached herewith an AEC Staff Summary of the NAS Report on "The Biological Effects of Atomic Radiation". clusions may be of interest to OCBr "I, The following highlights and con- The effects of atomic weapons testing. pe prom 47 LS2 DATE: June 12, 1956 EO - Mr. Staats 10 "(a) The genetic effect of weapons tests: "There is no safe dose of radiation in genetic terms; and exposure of the sex organs is genetically undesirable. "The AEC is doing 'a technically competent and a socially conscientious job of measuring fallout,' but the availability of such measurement data does not mean that all questions about the biological risks involved can be answered...(p. 1) "tThe fallout from weapons testing has, so far, led to considerably less irradiation of the population than have the medical uses--and has therefore been less detrimental, So long as the present level is not increased this will continue to be true; but there remains a proper concern to see to it that the fallout does not increase to more serious levels,! "Records should be kept for every individual, showing his total accumulated lifetime exposure to radiation. "The medical use of X-rays should be reduced as much as is consistent with medical necessity... "The somatic effects of weapons tests, "The report states that, at the dose levels recommended by the Genetics Committee, there would be no demonstrable somatic effect to populations, talthough a theoretical minor shortening of life spsn could not be ruled out.t...(p. 3) "Radiological effects upon the general public. "This question is covered in considerably greater detail. As a matter of fact, the question of possible radiation effects from industrial atomic energy operations seems to be viewed with somewhat more concern than radiation effects from weapons tests. OFFICIAL IBE ONIY REPOSITORY Edaechenser.Acbirat4 couection O68 Aoteg BOX No. FOLDER LQ 0.4 Erirgy | CHike * 4)63) Cag - Aw /45le a wee ee