Shelby Thompson, Deputy Director September 17, 1956 Invision of Information Services C. L. Dunham, N.D., Director Division of Biology and Medicine CLARIFICATION OF POLICY REGARDIM) REPORTING OF ACCIDENTS SYMBOL: BMBP sWDC It has been called to my attention that it may be possible to misinterpret my memo of September 11 to you on the above sub ject. . It was my intention to suggest that ites & (of your July 26 draft) should read as follows: . . "4. Accidents involving any single radiation incident which results in (or, pending confirmation, is suspected to have resulted in) the exposure of AZC or AEC-contractor personnel, ar other persons, whether on or off-site, te a dose of ionising radiation in excess of? (a) (>) ‘ Conrmurp to AUTHORITY 5 Oe» Ln af | o> o> = a whole-body (or major organ) dose of 3 rem of gama, neutron or corpuscular radiation; the total dose (to the critical tissue, organ or region of interest, as a result of inhalation, ingestion, cuts or abrasions or other means) equivalent to that which would be received should the person be exposed for a continuous 10-week period to official pernissible concentrations in air or water." I wish to emphasize that «we de not believe that an armouncezent should de mandatory simply because such an exposure has occurred. The exposure is newsworthy only in ita relationship to a reportable accident, or to an incident which is potentially a source of groundless rumor or public concern. Actual experience has shown that the mmber of auch cccasions has been small, and thers is no reason to believe that the frequency should increase greatly. When correct, the news release might very appropriately be accompanied by an explanation that the exposures © simply exceeced guide lines that have been set to help avoid overexposure, and that these exposures do not in themselves represent over-exposure of the individuals. L oS orricep SURNAME p DATE » Form 4EC-318 (Rev. +53) |___CC Mr. D. Fi. Hayes, O&P BMA . lotNeILL 9718756 OY BE 2) y eno -== -_ _oF 4 DUR U. 6. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFIC = 7 ih 16—62761-8 “ . . r - te