UNCLASSIFIED
BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
highest average and maximum values were found at Naen Island and wgre 0.18 mr/hr
TY Sey eget ooo AA ge eee +
and0,25 mr/hr.
The general levels of radioactivity in the biota continue to declin more rapidly
than would be expected from physical decay alone with the exception
the levelsof
strontium 90 in coconut crabs. These latter levels also continued to
cline, but at a
rate which was not as striking as otherwise noted.
Extensive sampling of soils shows clearly that the radioisotopes
centrated in the top inch or less. In lagoon sediments they are found
mixed to a depth of several inches..
Collection of rain water which has percolated through undisturbefi
soil showsthat
cesium 137, rhodium 106—ruthenium 106, zirconium 95—niobium 95,
Antimony 125,
and cesium 144 are being leached from the soil in very small but as fet undetermined
amounts.
Cesium 137 is the principal long-lived fission product taken up
cesium 137 levels are higher in older leaves thanin younger leaves.
There is a general potassium deficiency which increases cesiu
plants. Uptake of cesium 137 varies in all types of soil and biologic
much as a factor of five even within a limited area,
the plants. The
137 uptake by the
samples by as
Evaluation of calcium levels in the soil in terms of levels of avdilable calcium is
very difficult. It is clear that although these are highly calcareous
gpils, available
calcium represents a small fraction of the total calcium. This is
rtant relative
to strontium 90 uptake.
RADIATION ACCIDENT AT Y-12 PLANT, OAK RIDGE
Extensive studies and observations were made on the five men who
were exposed to
dangerous levels of whole-body radiation in the accident which occurredfat Y-12 on June 16,
1958. These men, who were exposed to neutron and gamma radiation, wRre treated at the
Medical Division of the Oak Ridge Institute of Nuclear Studies. Althougli there was good spontaneous recovery from the initial radiation effects, the men showed evidence of profound deweeks. They are
pression of bone-marrow activity, particularly during the fourth andsi
now in good physical condition, and most of the laboratory tests indicat recovery from radiation injury. The men have all returned to work. Because of the circumgtances of the accident,
it was possible to establish with good accuracy the radiation dosage,
because of the ab-
sence of blast, burns, or uneven dosage of radiation it was possible to assess quite accurately
the whole-body radiation effects produced. A publication has been prespnted of the initial
ae AR
ACEI
clinical and laboratory findings.*
Amino Acid Measurements
Of particular interest in the changes that were followed was.a detalled study of the ex-
cretion of certain amino acids, the building blocks of protein in the body. There is some suggestion that the levels of beta aminoisobutyric acid excretion are corr lated sufficiently well
with dosage of radiation to give useful measurements of exposure.
*““The Acute Radiation Syndrome, a Medical Report on the Y-12 Accident Fune 16, 1958,’’ ORINS-25.
38