Attachment 3

        June 10, 1957 letter from W.F. Libby, Commissioner
		 AEC to Dr. Herman M. Kalckar, NIH

 
		      An Atoms For Peace Proposal

	   An International Milk Teeth Radiation Canada

The formulation of this proposal assumes that we all have a common
goal, atoms for peace.  It is not meant here to (illegible)
any opinions concerning the discussion of the test program of
today.  The present proposal is rather meant as a contribution
towards education in the program for prevention of atomic war. 
There is hardly any doubt that any family, irregardless of whether
it belongs to a nation which is far ahead in atomic weapon
development or not, would lend deep sympathy toward an educational
and scientific program on atomic radiation which is concerned with
the health of their own children.  From this reasoning the
following proposal is made:

I.  It is generally a recognized fact that minor children have a
more intense uptake of radioactive symptoms and (illegible) than
adolescents and adults and that they also have higher radio-
sensitivity irregardless of whether it stems from radioactive

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strontium, cesium or iodine, or from x-rays.  Hence, radiation
hazards must be considered much higher during early (illegible). 
These facts, plus the great need for obtaining precise knowledge
about the biological factors involved, should be stressed in
explaining the problems to the general public in order to encourage
them to active participation (see next section).

II.  The Public Health Service in every nation and especially in
the large nations such as U.S., U.S.S.R. and China should organize,
perhaps on a country-wide basis, a colossal collection of milk
teeth (with dates of appearance and of shedding, and child's
age) and do radioactivity measurements on this material.  Thousands
of countings performed on a decentralized basis, i.e. on a small
community basis, might be particularly effective because the public
would feel that they participated actively in the program.  A
possible occurrence of the rise in radioactivity in childrens'
teeth structure should soon be detected.  The results should be

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conveyed to the public without unnecessary interpretations which
might either raise complacency or fear, but rather in a
spirit so as to encourage a sober, active concern.  Any family, be
it in America or in Russia, who are for themselves how the
teeth of their younger children grew more radioactive would soon,
out of concern for the fact that their own children carry the main
burden, develop a realistic restraint on the question of 'atomic
might'.  Moreover, they would have a natural incentive for taking
an active constructive part in the constant search of our society
for affecting atomic disarmament.

III.  An 'International Milk Teeth Radiation Census' might also
contribute greatly toward collecting important data for the most
sensitive and most precious part of any population, the children. 
At present only rather erratic data exists derived from autopsy
bone samples stemming mainly from adults.


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IV.  Measures to keep radioactivity of teeth and bone structure
down should be initiated with full public account and motivation
and  honest emphasis of the limitations of such measures. 
Measures for protection would presumably follow the pattern of
isotope dilution, i.e., addition of rock calcium to the diet and to
the soil.  In connection with the diet, it would be of interest to
compare the radioactivity of milk teeth of children on soybean milk
with those on cow's milk.  The former might be less radioactive
because the added calcium stems from rock.

7.  It would be most effective if the 'International Milk Teeth
Radiation Census' could be carried out fairly simultaneously in
various nations, especially in the big ones.  United Nations might
be the right agency to handle such a project.  Yet, it would be
immensely impressive if the United States took the initiative and,
for instance, made the cold suggestion that all the large nations
of Asia, including China, be participants.  This country, who has
developed the anti-coincidence counter and other ingenious tools

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for the peaceful use of atomic energy, might even offer technical
help or advice.  Such a concrete token of respect and reverence for
life, irregardless of creed, color or political system might well
create a landslide of confidence all over the world towards this
country.

The other possibility is to let the small Scandinavian countries
who do not have colonial disputes nor conflicts with the big powers
become the main spokesmen for the international handling of such a
program.  However, the United States should in amy event take the
first step.

Date: (illegible)

Office of Commissioner W.F. Libby

To: Dr. C. L. Dunham
_________________________________

_________________________________

_________________________________


Dr. Libby would like your approval of the attached letter before it
is dispatched.

Mary Sweeney


Repository  DcE Archives
Collection  RG 32G DBM
Box No. 2 Job 1133
Folder 1



Office of Commissioner Libby


June 10, 1957

Dr. Herman M. Kalckar
National Institutes of Health
Department of Health, Education and Welfare
Bethesda 14, Maryland

Dear Dr. Kalckar:

I think your idea of using children's milk teeth for strontium 90
measurement is a good one.  However, I would not encourage
publicity in connection with the program.  We have found that in
collecting human samples publicity is not particularly helpful.

We could get the teeth going by having investigators make their own
collections.  The samples need not be too large.  Dentists would
help.

I will pass your idea along and thanks for sending it in.

Sincerely yours,

W. F. Libby
Commissioner

cc: Dr. C.L. Dunham
    Director of Biology and Medicine, AEC

Dear Dr. Libby:

This just a brief formulation of a proposal which I have emphasized
along educational and international lines.  I am trying to bypass
the controversy on our present day atomic program and bring up
another type of approach which might contribute to the present
discussion.  I am sure that somebody else can formulate such a
proposal much better.  It is, so far, only meant as a personal
communication between a limited number of scientific colleagues.

My goal is to improve the formulation in such a way that it is free
of any biased opinions.  I would, of course, be greatly thankful
for advice in this task.

Your advice will of course be of special value in this matter.  I
have also approached (illegible) Will (illegible) at the U. of
Minn.

Kind regards,  Sincerely yours, 

Herman M. Kalckar