Dr. Walter D. Claus
DR. CLAUS had previously distributed a proposed Chapter for the AEC
Operations Manual covering this subject. Dr. Forrest Western and
Mr. Raymond Zintz bed collaborated in its preparation.
In general, the method of reporting by AEC contractors
PERSONNEL
EXP6SURE
_ RECQRDS
were divided between those contracts of $200,000 a
year and greater and those less than this figure.
It is believed advantageous to have immediate reports
on single radiation incidents which might either involve serious personnel injury or property damage or
present a public relations problem.
In addition to
these, there is the need for a regular summary report
of a statistical nature for the purpose of acquiring experience and
learning the general exposure levels being maintained within the
Commission program.
The reporting program is intended to comply
with the various recommendations of the NCRP and of the NAS.
In commenting on this program, DR. DUNHAM mentioned the difficulties
of including diagnostic x-ray exposures to the occupational x-ray
exposure.
He asked if the Committee would try to
suggest a practical approach to this matter of recording
MEDICAL X-RAY
EXPOSURE
RECORDS
diagnostic x-ray exposures. The matter had been
discussed with former Surgeon General, Dr. Scheele,
soon after the NAS report was released and Dr. Scheele
expressed a feeling of futility with respect to this
particular problem.
The NCRP had discussed the problem and a suggestion
was made that a study “te initiated on the feasibility of such
recordkeeping, although most of the Committee members said that it
was not practical or feasible with the population of the size of
the United States.
The Socialized Medical Program in England would
make such @ program more practical.
The British Medical Research
Council, however, did not recommend that recordkeeping extend beyond
occupationally exposed individuals. The question of radiation recordkeeping for the entire population has been raised by the Chair-
man, the Appropriations Committee and the Joint Committee.
DR. DUNHAM suggested the possibility of a study and mentioned the
particular experience that the Navy had had with Dog Tags carrying
such simple information as blood types and also in the Army with
vaccination records.
DR. GLASS said that the NAS Committee had
given this question some consideration and appreciated the great
difficulties and the psychological obstacles.
He expressed the
importance of 4 gradual education program for the general population
as to the importance of radiation exposure which is becoming more
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