SUBJCT: Radiolorical Hazards Fror An ABD, Alpha, Bete and Gamma Rediation
indicated beta-ramm ratios of from 10 - 1 to several hundred to
one denending upon the conditions of measurement, Estin-tes
barced on the opinions of experienced radiolorists indicate that
for usucl operationcl condition: there will bo no extern>] heta
hazard unless there is an associated large garma hazard,
This
has been verified, for the case of fall out contanincztion, by
expericnce at ficld tests and a recent specific project designed
to measure the relative beta hazard,
Thero are certain instances,
however, involving isolated problens in which the beta hazard may
be important,
Duce Corlpomstnes cy re bbe
tn aviatm.
Ade.uate knowledge exists or can be calculated for the
shicldinrp effects of nilitary structures and field fortifications,
B,
Internal Radintion
The biological and physical half lifes of the innortant
fission fragecnts are knoim, The relative importance of alpha
and heta emitters when retained in the body in anounts above
tolerance levels is not known,
Studies on radium and
mesothorium have been extrapolated for alpha enitters in excess
of tolerance amounts, The problem of the single "hot" particle
has not been resolved,
a,
Inhalation,
The irportance of -article size is knowm,
Stucics based on J:.NGLE indicated no internal hazard froma
surface or sub-surface burst unless en overwhelming extcrn-1
gamma hazard is tresent, For air crews operating through an
atonic cloud, there is no significent interncl hazerd unless
an overwhelming external hazard is -1so present,
Protective devices, including gas masks end collective
protectors, have been tested and give adequate nrotection,
-b. Ingestion, Pood and water tolcrances have been established whichercreasonable for operational rurposes, Standard
engineer field vurificetion systers will adequately decontaninate
water, Food may be decontaminated by romoving the external
contaminated surfcce,
CONCLUSIONS: Current operational recuirements can be fulfilled with presently
available externel effects information,. Further laboretory work
on humans in the range of 1 - 200 roentgens, including lone-term
follow up of the offects, is indicated,.
Avoilable lethal cffects infornation is adequzte except in the
field of pronpt response to overwhelming doseges,. Individual
RF