LOS ALAMOS SCIENTIFIC LABORATORY
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
LOS ALAMOS, NEW MEXICO
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OFFICE MEMORANDUM
All Members of Task Unit 8.1.1
TO
DATE: February 15, 1962
AAC)4)
FROM
3
Safety Office
SUBJECTs
GENERAL HEALTH AND SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS--PACIFIC SITES
SYMBOL :
H-3
The following information is drawn from the experiences of past operations
and it is believed to warrant consideration by all visitors to the Pacific
operational area.
HEALTH
The general health level of personnel while at the Pacific sites is high
and unique problems are neither frequent nor often severe.
The climate is
not like that which people usually associate with the word "tropical"; the
temperatures are not extreme, and there is generally enough air movement
for comfort.
The humidity is high and this largely accounts for such
problems as do exist in regard to comfort and health of personnel.
Under test conditions, there are likely to be periods of relative inactivity
interspersed with periods of feverish overactivity.
Under the former condi-
tion, people are prone to overeat and to drink too much.
participating in overseas tests.
Recreational programs are encouraged for
maintaining physical fitness and morale.
In a warm humid environment, most individuals perspire profusely and quite
high standards of personal cleanliness are a must. Underarm deodorants
should be used with caution because they may interfere with the function of
e sweat glands; at the first sign of skin irritation, their use should be
iscontinued.
minimum of clothing is generally worn; this custom is in accord with
ientific investigations of comfort under tropical conditions.
re must be exercised in gradually exposing the skin to sun.
However,
Most indi-
iduals are able to acquire sufficient pigmentation to protect against sunmm even when constantly exposed to sun.
A few people are unable to do so,
d will have to use considerable caution. Fair-skinned individuals who do
ot tan well are especially susceptible to actinic cancer of the skin. With
ee
ie .
easonable care, a disabling sunburn can be readily avoided. Excellent sun
rotective creams and lotions are now available and should be used by suseptible individuals.
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Ceecund Creneen|
TR S252
COLLECTION
REPOSITORY
4a Alamecs At Cae
A reasonable degree of physical fitness is in general expected of individuals