vs
errs,
Progress Report
ale
health hasard is anticipated beyond the test area, these observations will
assist in estimating faliout and in evaluating possible hazards in future
tests, and in safeguarding sensitive industries such ag the photographic.
the program will be coordinated by the New York Operations Office Health
and Safety Division, and they will be prepared to issue statesents and
answer queries, based on observations to be made in 50 or more locations
about the country.
AEC laboratories, the 0.3. Weather Bureau, and the U.S.
Air Force are planning to participate in the collection and analysis of
rainfall and dust samples, in plotting the passage of the radioactive clouds
across the country, and in correlating the amount of radioactive material at
the earth's surface with the degree of concentration in the air above.
Permiasible Levels for Radioactive Contamination of DrinkingWater:
Baergency permissible levels for radisagtive contamination of drinking
water during a period of 10#30 days following &n A~bomb Hlast have been
suggested by the Division and accepted by the Vederal Civil Defense Aduinistration (see report for Jamary 1951). Suitable field instrumentation hes
now been made available through studies at the Rochester University, AEC
Project (UR80). A conventent measurement kit has been assembled consisting
of an S-cunce matel container for the water to be tested, and two calibration
standards with the radioactive material distributed on the inner surface of
duplicate container lids.
These standards are adjusted te give the sane
moter deflections (on commercially available survey meters such as civil
defense monitors might have) as are produced by mixed fission products in
water at concentrations of 3.5 micro-curie per liter (judged safe for
1O«day consumption) and 90 microecuries per liter (judged te be an acceptable
risk for a lO-day period). Civil defense monitors can hence make simple
determinations on the spot to ascertain the degree of radiological safety
of drinking water.
Health Physics Research at Qak Ridges
Two membera of the Biophysics Branch visited Gak Ridge to review the
program of heaith physics research in the Laboratory, and general problems
of radiation protection in the various plant processes. Of particular
interest are some of the health protection problems pesed by the use of
the calutron (electromagnetic separator) in experimental studies. Among
items of current research interest are a continuous monitering device for
radioactive contamination in drinking water, neutron measurement and
theoretical studies on the damage of tissues by fast neutrons, and a joint
project with TVA on the uptake of fission products by fish in the contaminated
White Oak Pond storage basin.
aPo
OFFICE >
»
SURNAME >
DATE >»
16-—55741-1