SESSION tl Ww TAYLOR: Are there any other examples of beta burns to human beings besides the Bikini ones? CONARD: Yes, there are quite a few. TAYLOR: Are these reactor accidents? CONARD: "Beta burne" have been reported in persons carelessly handling fission products (Reference 12) and from exposure to other radioactive sources (References 13 and 14). LANGHAM: of human skin. DUNHAM: There are hundreds and hundreds of examples of burns Lowry had a case. They have been reported by dermatologists and cancer therapists. EISENBUD: Could I ask one question about this lye. calcium silicate? DONALDSON: No. Isn't coral There's very little silicon. It's calcium carbcnate. WARREN: You might have flakes of calcium oxide or hydroxide which could burn a moist skin, but a very dilute lime water has been used as a soothing solution for burns. CONARD: There are about 15 cases in the Rongelap people that still show some residual pigmentation and scarving as a result of the burns. The Japanese fishermen had some rather severe beta burns, particularly on the hand with which they were handling the fish lines between the thumb and the index finger. One area that was heavily involved was on the crown of the head. They frequently wear a handkerchief around their head and the crown of the head was exposed. The belt line was a frequent site of involvernent. (See Reference 15.) BRUES: Dr. Tsuzuki told us that the older fishermen had more damage to the skin of the head because, in general, they didn't wash their hair as often as the younger fishermen did. CONARD: That's interesting.