eaeLk eeerie aie ab Be ee F
weet
ary
t
1rk
ims
Part Vil
RCHIVES
DOE AR:
Biology and Medicine
PROJECT SUNSHINE qq
Soil Sampling and Comparison of Collection Methods
t
2B,
rwry
rT)
“h
Studies involving the monitoring of the distribution of fallout over the surface of the earth
have been extended. The analysis of gummed-paper samples from more than 100 stations has
been continued, and a larger number of soil samples from about 30 geographical locations outside the United States are being analyzed by the New York Health and Safety Laboratory to determine their radiostrontium content. In addition, the discrepancy between data collected by
different techniques is being investigated. Data from gummed-paper samples are being com-
pared to those from collection pots placed at about 20 gummed-paper stations in the United
States and abroad. Stations were selected for these comparative studies in a manner which
would provide samples from a variety of climates. In the analysis of soil samples, studies are
being conducted to establish the reliability of chemical methods for estimating not only the
total strontium content but also the amount of strontium 90 available for plant uptake as related
to the available calcium content.
Distribution of Radiostrontium in Foodstuffs
8
Moreinformation is being collected from foreign countries for research on the distribution of radiostrontium in foodstuffs. Samples both of foods in the composite diet and of human
:
urine are being collected in Turkey and the Philippines by survey teams of the Interdepart-
mental Committee on Nutrition for National Defense, in which committee AEC is participating.
The samples will be analyzed by the New York Health and Safety Laboratory. Information is
also being collected on the foods which provide the major source of calcium, the per capita con-
sumption, and the average calcium content of each foodstuff. These data may help to determine the importance of such factors as geographic location, calcium content of soils, and
local dietary habits in the distribution of strontium 90 in foodstuffs.
MOUSE GENETICS
One of the major genetics projects supported by the AEC is the study of radiation-induced
mutations in mice. In the United States, the mouse genetics project at Oak Ridge National
Laboratory supplies the most important data available on induced mutations in mammals, on
which extrapolations to human populations can be based.
The United Kingdom has also been supporting at Harwell a smaller mouse genetics project, which is now being expanded. To ensure that the Harwell and Oak Ridge projects are
f
Seaeeiniees
7
3]