Numerous technical experiments were carried out in conjunction with each of the three
detonations.
These experiments measured the yield and efficiency of the devices and attempted to gauge military effects of the explosions. DoD personnel participated in this test
operation as individuals involved in AEC weapon design and development, as units performing
separate experiments, and as units performing various support roles.
An extensive radiological safety
instituted:
(radsafe)
program with the following objectives was
l.
Keeping personnel radiation exposure at the lowest possible
level consistent with medical knowledge of radiation effects
and the importance of the test series
2.
Avoiding inadvertent contamination of populated islands and transient shipping.
This program established an organization to provide radsafe expertise and services to com-
manders
of
the
separate
components
of
the
task
force,
who were
responsible
for
personnel
the
inhabited
safety within their commands.
Personnel were trained in radiological safety.
Standards
governing permissible exposure were established. The standards were 0.1 roentgen (R) per 24hour period and a maximum exposure of 3R for specifically approved missions.
Film badges
were issued to persons likely to be exposed to radiation, as well as a representative group of
the task force.
An extensive weather forecasting group was established to predict wind
directions and areas of potential fallout. Personnel were evacuated from danger areas before
each detonation.
Reentry to radioactive areas was restricted to personnel required to
retrieve important data, and their radiation exposures were monitored.
TEST OPERATIONS AND EXPOSURES
Each
of
the
SANDSTONE
tower
shots
produced
islands in the area received appreciable fallout.
3 May, two days after the YOKE shot.
fallout;
however,
none
of
Kwajalein received measureable fallout on
The estimated dose from fallout for persons who were on
Kwajalein for the entire test series was calculated to be 0.075 R.
Most
task force personnel were on Kwajalein or aboard ships.
The remainder were on
Enewetak and stayed there for the three shots.
The temporary camps on the northern and
eastern islands of the atoll near the detonation sites were abandoned and dismantled before
the shots. Task force ships evacuated the lagoon, except for USS Albemarle (AV-5), USS Mount
McKinley (AGC-7), USS Curtiss (AV-4), and USS Bairoko (CVE-115), which remained in the lagoon
near the base islands on the southern side of the atoll.
Highest DoD exposures for both the Army (6.050 R) and the Navy (5.140 R) were accrued by
radiation monitors from the Joint Radiological Safety Group.
Only eleven personnel (0.6
percent of those badged) received exposures in excess of the imposed standards of 3 R.
In
fact, radiation exposure for badged JTF 7 personnel at SANDSTONE averaged less than 0.25 R,
and approximately 65 percent had zero exposures.
The unbadged men were not expected to be
exposed to radioactivity.
Recorded SANDSTONE exposures are summarized in the table on the
following page.