ee
of materials in common military use (cloth, paints, plastics, fibers,
and metals), and the physical properties of their surfaces. Each of
the surfaces tested represented a combination of one of three grades of
surface roughness, porosity, and contact angle, and one of two grades o
dye-retentivity. All samples were exposed horizontally to the solid
particulate fallout from an underground atomic burst.
_
It was concluded that roughness, porosity, contact angle, and
dye-retentivity are qualities pertinent to radiological contaminationdecontamination.
However, the magnitude of their respective effects is
variable, and determined by the specific conditions of the contaminating
event. Of these properties, only roughness, porosity, and contact angle
produce effects of such magnitude as to warrant consideration in the
qualitative selection of the contamination-decontamination properties of
materials.
Wr-4ooO
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DECONTAMINATION OF VEHICIES.
Operation BUSTER~JANGLE, (Chapter 10).
P. H. Ugis, June 1952.
SHCRET~RESTRICTED DATA
This chapter deals with:
(1) the radiological contamination of
vehicles exposed to the effects of surface and underground detonations at
2,000 ft from ground zero, (2) the decontamination of such vehicles, (3)
and the shielding afforded by the vehicles.
Vehicle-contamination levels were somewhat higher after the
underground shot than after the surface shot, but no vehicle was
contaminated to such an extent as to require decontamination during a
tactical situation. Shielded vehicles, tanks and weasels which were
operated for long periods near the craters were contaminated to so slight
an extent that no hazard to their passengers would result.
The integrated
dose received by crew members is generally less than 10% of that which
would be received outside the vehicles.
—
The results of decontamination procedures indicated no need for
-the addition of specialized decontamination equipment to the present
equipment cf field units.
Radioactive contamination was found to adhere
to vehicle surfaces as does dirt.
For this reason, removal of the
contaminated dirt eliminates the radiation hazard.
No additional chemicals
need be eided to supply channels, the currently supplied detergent or soap
being adequate for decontamination.
As regards manpower requirements,
it should take no longer to decontaminate a vehicle to safe levels than
it would to rerove ordinary dirt.
REST
RG
. TA
wan
ATC