METALLURGICAL LABORATORY           October 23, 1945

Dr. Farrington Daniolo

Dr. J.J. Hickson

Abstract of monthly report for Section II-III


The routine analysis of the urine of Chicago and Clinton for
plutonium has continued.  No results have been recorded which 
would indicate a high exposure.  Small volumes, 100 ml, are still 
being used for the Chicago specimans.  This however, will be 
changed in the very near future.

Research on mothers for urine analysis has continued.  On the basis
of the data available the BiPO4-LoF3 method appears to be the more
logical to adopt for routine use.  The procedure which makes use of
ashing the urine has the advantage of being more easily worked and
in all probability would be more reliable.

The adsorption process has some decided advantages and therefore
research will continue on this process.  The results of the last
few experiments have been encouraging.

During the past month the patient injected with plutonium died as
a result of extension of the neoplasm.  A post-mortem was obtained. 
The liver had 33% of the amount of plutonium injected.  The bone
marrow taken from one rib gave the highest specific activity of any
tissue; it had 70 counts per minute per gram of tissue.  The
details of the tissue analysis will be found in the monthly report.

1631 films were developed during the month.  19 over exposures were
noted of which eight would shield and window over exposures and
eight were window over exposures.  Three wrist badges were found to
have readings greater than 0.6 r.  3040 pocket meters were read
during the month. 22 over Exposures were noted.

Delivery of alpha survey and hand meters stopped up considerably
during the past month.  This followed the essential completion of
similar orders from I.  The availability of these instruments will
considerably simplify the work of the Health-Physics group. 
Turnover in personnel during the past month has been considerable
following the removal of during the past month has been
considerable following the removal of war manpower control.  This
has created a training problem in the section.

Slow neutron flux measurements are being made on a routine basis at
the Argonne.  Numerous areas are being found which have flux
greater than

Metallurgical Laboratory               2
         

1500 slow neutrons per square centimeter per minute.  For the most
part these are not in work areas.  Survey of off-project rooms for
contamination has occupied much of the special surveyor's time.
Numerous areas in Kent and Jones have been found which have above
permissible levels of alpha, beta or gamma activity.  Procedure for
decontaminating such areas and informing the University of such
decontamination has been the subject of numerous discussions.


                                   J. J. Nickson, M.D.
jn

cc:  R.S. Stone
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