y
BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE.
.e. Herdsof sheep wintered north of the Proving Ground experienced hez
to 30 per.cent for lambs and 20 per cent for mature sheep) during April and
head. Radio~
period were estimated by the sheep owners to be as much as several thousank
logical examinations were made, and while no evidence was found to account
or the ab-
losses. ‘AS a matter of scientific interest, however, the AEC is continuing italinvestigations
to determine, if possible; the causes of the abnormal death rate. Also, Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory and Oak Ridge National Laboratory will give emphasis toexifting research
‘ - projects in the production and study of beta:‘burns in sheep. (End of section fc
«
Civil Effects Test Program —Operation UPSHOT-KNOTHOLE ff ,
Thecivil effects test studies undertaken during the spring 1953 continent]
test series
were designed to (1) develop data which couldbe used to improve the ‘probabillty of sur-
vival and continuity of production in the event of an atomic attack; and (2) male
evaluations of the effects of neutrons and gammarays on biological systems.
participated. ‘The studies comprised eight programs, 36 projects, and 114 prd
-pations,” Investigations in the areas of genetics and biological experiments wi
year or more for complete evaluation. Results obtained in certain projects Z
rized below. .
-
Structure tests demonstrated that blast pressures of less than six pounds per square
inch will demolish a new typical frame-residence and less than two pounds pe square inch |
will render it uninhabitable with a 50 per cent loss of the structure. Inexpensife wood
basement-shelters provided reasonable protection against debris load from collapsing
frame-residences. Reinforced concrete and masonry home-type shelters withabout three
feet of earth cover structurally resisted the overpressures of a 16.3 KT explogion as close
as 1250 feet. Group shelters that could accommodate 50 persons resisted the game effects
structurally and gave protection against thermal and ionizing radiation. The sJelters were
constructed with reinforced concrete pipe or corrugated metal pipe of seven fdet six inches
inside diameter and had three feet of earth cover. The biological damage frongblast|
generated overpressures inside the shelters has not yet been determined.
Radiological defense training of about 20 state radiological officers, underpfull security
clearances, continued through two detonations, These groups are now conducti
in unclassified training to civil defense personnel at state and community levelB.
Biomedical and dosimetry experiments on the effects of ionizing radiationfshowed that
under the conditions of Shots 1 and 8, the neutron and gamma exposures inside
were within permissible limits. Using fission detectors and other methods, signifi
measurements were obtained in the low and medium energy ranges of neutrons
program also provided valuable data for comparing physical and biological dos
Civilian Vehicles. Of the 60 civilian vehicles exposed to a numberof deto
hazard of fire was insignificant from a tower shot but important from an air b
metal parts were vulnerable to pressures as low as one pound per square inch
cally, the vehicles were highly resistant to blast effects.
For personnel inside
thermal hazards would be markedly reduced, although ionizing radiation effects would not
be altered by the vehicle. Blast and displacement would probably remain as the preatest
PJ