APPEND IX
SAFETY PROCEDURES AT THE NUCLEAR TESTING SITES
NEVADA TEST SITE
General The health and safety of persons was the major consideration in
selecting originally the Nevada Test Site and continued to be during
the conduct of nuclear tests in the atmosphere.
An exhaustive search
was made before the Nevada site was selected as the most suitable one.
It originally contained 600 square miles (later expanded to about 1,290
square miles) adjacent to the U. S. Air Force Gunnery Range of 4,000
square miles.
For purposes of general safety, as well as security, the
Test Site was and continues to be closed to the public.
Aerial and
surface surveys were made to insure that no one had wandered into the
area.
Beyond these controlled areas are wide expanses of sparsely populated land, providing optimum conditions for maintenance of safety.
Although the area is only sparsely populated the individual resident
has been given full consideration.
Radiation monitors have been present
during times of testing and there have been occasions when residents
have been relocated for a day or so to insure fully their safety.
have received financial remuneration for such movements.
They
There have
also been occasions when persons have been asked to remain indoors for
a few hours to reduce the radiation dose though the out-of-door exposure
was far from hazardous.
45.