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UNCLASSIFIED
BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
Sede SARL TT
Wildlife Service are cooperating in an ecological and oceanographic survdy of marine areas
adjacent to the site of Project CHARIOT.
In addition, the University of California at Los Angeles will participate in the program to
provide radiological assessment and determination of biological availabillty of the resultant
fallout debris. Pre-shot sampling which was to have been included in thi project was postponed to a future date because of the rapidly changing radioactive backgrgundin the region of
Abs oe!
dba ee
the CHARIOTsite as the result of fallout from nuclear weapons testing.
Phase Il of Project CHARIOT, of which this summer’s activities we
period of June 1959 to approximately May 1960. If Project CHARIOT is
(continuation and extension of Phase I studies) will commence in June 1
|
& part, covers the
ntinued, Phase II
0.
.
.
When Project CHARIOT, Phase I, was approved by the Commissio
nm May 22, 1959, it
was also determined that by January 1, 1960, there would be a recomme dationrelative to
whether the project should proceed or be indefinitely suspended. The re ommendation is to be
based on the results of the summer surveys and other factors applicabl at that time.
RADIATION SHIELDING STUDIES OF OAK RIDGE HOUSES
A series of measurements of shielding characteristics of typical O
Ridge homes against
simulated fallout radiation was made in July. These measurements wer an extension of
similar measurements at the Nevada Test Site in May 1958. Specific objectives included the
determination of the effects of irregular terrain and the shielding generdlly afforded by the
furnishings. The technique involved a point source which was pumped hydraulically through
about 2,000 feet of flexible plastic tubing. In each experiment, the tubing
was positioned over
and around the house being used in such a way as to simulate a fallout pkttern. The integrated
exposure from radiation at points in the house was measured with ionizgtion chambers and the
readings were compared with those made three feet above a flat area cqvered by the same
radiation source. Results of the studies will be released shortly.
FALLOUT LEVELS IN THE UNITED STATES
On September 8 the AEC released the first quarterly statement on fallout, in accordance
with the Chairman’s announcement of May 5, 1959.* This statement prdvided the latest information received by the AEC on (1) surface air radioactivity levels, (2) §trontium 90 levels in
U. S. milk, (3) production of carbon 14 in nuclear explosions, and (4) stfontium 90 removal
from milk. An appendix to the statement dealt with areas where relatively high fallout had
occurred.
~
ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGES IN AEC
Several components of the Division of Biology and Medicine were
Office of Health and Safety. These included the Office of the Assistant
Director for Radiation