Professor Lopes ~2= October 23, 1953 encountered in peeling contaminated potatoes, wt one might assume that if all washable contamination were removed, very little would rub off during peeling. Leafy vegetables oresent a further problem. it has been found that such Leaves are cleaned only with great difficulty. ne could only wash such vegetables as well as possible, then monitor them to determine whether the radioactivity were small enough to be ingested safely. It should be emphasized that the mere presence of measureable radioactivity dees not make food or water unfit Zor consumption. Absorption of atomic debris from the intestinal tract is relatively low, so that considerable quantities can be ingested without serious hazard. knolosed are two technical bulletins prepared by the Federal Civil Jefense Administration which discuss this phase of your problem. It is possible that the Quartermaster Corps of the JU. S. Army has actually made some studies on foods subjected to atomic explosions, about wnich we nave no information. You may wish to inquire of then I believe that the inquiry should be addressed to Office of the Quartermaster Corps, 2500 South 20th Utreet, Philadelpitia. I hope that this discussion may De of some value to you. Very truly yours, Valter ). Claus Chief, ilophysics Branch Division of Hology and Medicine Enclosures «= 2 le FCDA TEl11-9 2. FCDA Tiell-3 cc: Mre Corsbie, CDLB fe FQ “ OFFICE » _ SURNAME > i GPO i BMAP _ + 10857 a1" oe eeeeee