sesssevosl
‘Subj: ” Redfological( -2ards From cn ABD, Neutrons STiTUS OF
XNO.LEDGE
(Cont'd):
as excellent indicators of the integrated biological effect
of bomb neutrons even in the ebsence of physical spectral
data; and their use in conjunction with limited physical
date allows them to be employed es relative neutron dosimeters.
As predicted, the imoortance of neutron biological effect
connared with bomb gamma varied markedly with weapon design
and yield, ranging from insignificant where vreapon design
end yiele vere unfavorable to neutrons to a factor at least
as preat as gemma (et the range of mid-lethal dosage) in
cases favorable to neutron rclease from the fission assembly.
Nevsde test Gata shored neutrons penetrate soil less well
than gemmes; although foxholes provided less protection
from scettered neutrons than from scattered gammes.
Neutron
induced activity in biological meterial has been show bo
present no personnel hezara.
opine
Because of its sensitivity to specific Lonization, zenetic
material hes proven useful in differentiating the importance
of gamma and neutron effects rhen both are present.
Menger date concerning neutron spectrum and relating neutron
effects to animal size and svecies differences has made
extrapolation of the weapons test information to man
extremely unreliable. A qualitative theory hes been
esteblished permitting the mouse field data to be viewed
es the upper limit to the neutron respvonse (in term of
REM units) to be expected in men, but there is little
experimental confirmation of the assumptions involved.
Physical theory predicts that the range of nucleer redia-
tion effects, includingneutrons, will be very greatly
increased at high altitudes.
The above limitations on
the extrapolation of reapons test neutron data to man do
not permit an accurate estimate of the increase in neutron
biological effects to be anticipated under these circumstences.
There is no current tork being done with high doses of
neutrons Celivered et very high dose rates, comperable
with canme experimentetion now in progress where a prompt
biological response has been demonstrated under similar
circumstenccs.
CONCLUSIONS:
The biclozical data suggest that the mechanisms of
resnonse to neutrons may be somevshat different from those
to x-rays in a riven species.
Tne effect on neutron REM values of protective lend henis-
pheres used i
in the past.
=
pap has been improperly eveluated |
Pikeics