iv
WORLDWIDE EFFECTS OF ATOMIC WEAPONS
increase the megaton “limits” (1.e., decrease the apparent hazard) as calculated herein. |
On the other hand, certain natural factors and concepts regarding the
mechanism of the Sr”” path into the human body have also been revised.
For example, the original assumption regarding the amount of avatlable
natural strontium in the soil is evidently too high; the effect of Jowering
this value ts to decrease the megaton “limits.” In fact, the SUNSHINE
“limit,” as recently estimated by W. F. Libby,* is lower than that given in
this report. It is emphasized that absolute values, both biological and
physical, given in this report must stand corrected in the ltght of investi-
gations conductedsince 1953.
Several of the speculative aspects of the report were recorded without
the advantage of the data that have accumulated since the inception of the
SUNSHINE experimental program. Some of the conclusions have withstood
the test of time; others undoubtedly require modification on the basis of
the SUNSHINE experience of the past 3 years.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Project SUNSHINE was undertaken at the request of the U.S. Atomic
Energy Commission; it was jointly sponsored by the AEC (Contract
AT (11-1)-135) and USAF Project RAND (Contract AF 33(038)-6413).
The inittal, intensive, summer effort was led by Willard F. Libby of
the Institute for Nuclear Studies, University of Chicago.* A large part of
this preliminary report was developed from Dr. Libby's suggestions. We
gratefully acknowledge his assistance.
The summer study was climaxed by a RAND-SUNSHINE conference held
July 21--23, 1953. At the conference, data and conclusions were discussed
with a number of experts who represented a variety of professional interests; we have used their comments where applicable in this report. The
conference attendees were:
Adams, C. E.
Bacher, R. F.
Bell, C.
Bethe, H. A.
Bugher, J. C.. M.D.
Cadle, R. D.
Claus, W.D.
Comar, C. L.
Coons, Maj. R. D.
Crowson, Col. D. L.
Edinger,J. G.
Fisenbud, M.
English, S. G.
Gilmore, F. R.
Naval Radiological Defense Laboratory
California Institute of Technology
Harvard University
Cornell University
Atomic Energy Commisston
Stanford Research Institute
Atomic Energy Commmisston
University of Tennessce
Air Research and Development Command
Air Research and Development Command
University of California
Atomic Fnergy Commission
Atomic Energy Commission
California Institute of Technology
CGrigos T) T
University of California
Grossman, B.
Air Force Cambridge Research Center
Gwynn, Lt. Col. P. S.
Arined Forces Special Weapons Project
*Now Commissioner, U.S. Atomic Energy Commission.