exposure units
(roentgens).
Although the original references often re-
ferred to dose, there is no evidence that whole-body energy deposition was
determined,
nor that dose was indeed measured.
In this report all measurements of exposure intensity (roentgen)
given in whole units and decimal fractions.
are
This is not the common way
these are reported in the source literature.
The lower exposure intensi-
ties were usually reported in milliroentgens
(mR) and the higher exposure
intensities in roentgens
(R).
Often the same measuring device could meas-
ure both the lower and higher intensities but with different dial settings
and thus differing accuracies.
Personnel records show the same sort of differentiation.
The lower
individual exposures are usually recorded in millirem but the larger maxi-
mums allowed or permitted are stated in whole rem.
This use of different
measuring units for different levels of radiation could cause some confusion to readers who are unfamiliar with the field; therefore, the wholeunit convention is used.
Radsafe Standards
In accordance with the safety criteria prescribed by the JTF 7 Operation Plan, two kinds of radsafe standards were established; Maximum Permissible Exposures. and Maximum Permissible Limits.
Maximum Permissible
Exposure, usually abbreviated MPE and sometimes referred to as the "rule
dose,” set 3.9 rem (gamma) over a 13-week period as the maximum allowable
accumulation of whole-body gamma radiation per individual during Operation
CASTLE.
This total would increase automatically by 0.3 rem (gamma)
week for each week the operation extended beyond 13 weeks
Annex.G).
per
(Reference 9,
For recordkeeping purposes, the operation was assumed to begin
15 days before the first detonation.
The MPE for CASTLE was identical to
the federal standard approved by the National Committee on Radiation Protection (NCRP)
for those in radiologically hazardous occupations.
This
standard permitted accumulation of radiation exposure at the rate of 0.3
rem per week to a total of no more than 15 rem in one 1l2-month period.
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