Attachment 5 SWPRF-5-1/921.1 16, December 1954 SUBJECT: Fall-Out Studies TO: The Surgeon General Department of the Air Force Washington 25, D. C. Attention: Brigadier General H. H. Twitchell, Director of Professional Services 1. The Armed Forces Special Weapons Project (AFSWP) has been directed to study the effects on humans of radiation arising from fall-out debris from nuclear detonation. The problem may be divided into two general areas, as: (1) the short-term fall-out of immediate military importance which will occur around and directly downwind from the points of detonation, and (2) the long-term effects which may occur on a world-wide basis. 2. The Division of Biology and Medicine of the Atomic Energy Commission has been studying the problem in a continuous manner through its own activities, as well as through its contractors. The data are well documented and their studies are continuing, but it is felt that the Military Services, through their own activities, can augment the present project of measuring for possible hazard during the Spring 1955 tests, Operation TEAPOT, at the Nevada Proving Grounds. With this in mind, the AFSWP is requesting assistance from the Surgeons General of the Army and Air Force and the Chief, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, U. S. Navy. Accordingly, the assistance of the Surgeon General of the Air Force is requested to collect and ship samples to central laboratories for analysis. A similar letter is also being written to the Surgeon General of the Army, requesting his assistance. 3. The proposed project is divided into two parts. The first part is that of collecting, shipping, an analyzing 24-hour urine specimens for radioactivity. The Department of biophysics, Army Medical Service Graduate School, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, has agreed to receive and analyze these specimens. The second part is that of collecting, shipping, and analyzing, for radioactivity, (Illegible) samples and certain animal diseases from slaughterhouses. The Joint Army Air Force Veterinary Services Laboratory at Oak Ridge SWPRF-5-1/921.1 SUBJECT: Fall-Out Studies Tennessee, has agreed to receive these samples of animal origin for analysis. The details of procedure for the collection of these samples are being worked out to give the maximum amount of information with a minimum of deviation from the normal activities of all concerned. The actual data obtained are SECRET and the sample collection should be discreetly handled. It is suggested that a statement be included in the instructions to the effect that these samples are being collected for nutritional studies. The location of points or origin of veterinary samples in the Continental United States should be such that they will coincide with the collection areas of urine specimens. Lists of samples desired and the stations from which they are to be collected by both Services are inclosed herewith as Inclosure 1 and Inclosure 2. 4. The AFSWP will transfer sufficient funds to the Army Medical Service Graduate School and the Joint Army-Air Force Veterinary Services Laboratory to finance the added expenditure of funds over the normal operating costs. Verbal assurance has been given by personnel of the above-mentioned laboratories that the work requested can be accomplished with essentially their existing equipment. 5. The AFSWP desires to express its appreciation to Brigadier General Wayne O. Kester, Chief, Air Force Veterinary Service; Brigadier General H. H. Twitchell, Director, Director of Professional Services and their staffs for their interest in the over-all problem and their verbal concurrence in this proposal. A. R. Luedecke Major General, USAF Chief, AFSWP 2 Incls.: 1 - Collection and Shipment of Veterinary Samples 2 - Collection and Shipment of Urine Specimens M/R: This is to confirm verbal approval of a project for the collection, shipment and analyzing of specimens from Veterinary Serv. and urine specimens from surgeons of selected hospitals. Data from studies of these samples is classified SECRET. 2 Col. Maxwell:mfc/1B672/73679 (10 Dec 54) COLLECTION AND SHIPMENT OF VETERINARY SAMPLES 1. Samples requested to be collected by Army veterinary personnel from the following: Boston, Massachusetts Washington, D.C. New Orleans, Louisiana San Antonio, Texas Salt Lake City, Utah St. Louis, Missouri Los Angeles, California Seattle, Washington 2. Samples requested to be collected by Air Force veterinary personnel from the following: McDill Air Force Base, Tampa, Florida Rapid City, South Dakota 3. The samples collected from the local slaughterhouses should consist of one complete thyroid and one rib (ninth- twelfth), including the costochondral junction taken from a vealar two to six months of age. The milk samples from all stations should consist of 100 milliliters collected from a local source and, if this differs from the milk being used by troops in that area, a second sample should be sent from the military supply. The point of origin of all samples should be designated. The collection and shipment of all samples should conform to impart regulations of the Department of Agriculture. A detailed list of information to be included with each sample is being prepared by Lt. Col. B. F. Trum and will be sent to the Chiefs of the Veterinary Services, Departments of the Army and the Air Force, in the very near future. 4. The samples should be shipped on or about 1 January, 1 February 1, 8, 15, and 22 March, 1 and 15 April, 1 and 15 May, and 1 June 1955. They should be shipped in regulation mailing containers to: Lt. Col. B. F. Trum Box 142 Oak Ridge, Tennessee 5. It is further requested that samples be collected from the overseas areas listed below and shipped via the Military Air Transport Service to: Command Veterinarian Hq. Military Air Transport Service Andrews Air Force Base Washington, D. C. Attn: Lt. Col. Marlay C. Clark Inclosure 1. The samples will then be transhipped to Lt. Col. Trum. 6. Overseas areas from which samples are to be collected by Army veterinary personnel: Hawaii, Greece, and Panama Overseas areas from which samples are to be collected by Air Force veterinary personnel: Alaska (sample of milk only), Japan, Germany and Africa 7. The procedure for collection and shipment of these overseas samples should be the same as those previously indicated for the samples from Continental United States, with the exception of the first shipment to the Command Veterinarian, MATS, described above, and with the further exception that only one same per month is desired, beginning 1 January and ending 1 June 1955. COLLECTION AND SHIPMENT OF URINE SPECIMENS 1. It is requested that 24-hour urine specimens be collected under the direction of the Surgeon at the following stations: Army Letterman Army Hospital, San Francisco, California Fitzsimmons Army Hospital, Denver, Colorado Brooke Army Hospital, San Antonio, Texas Walter Reed Army Hospital, Washington, D.C. Air Force Fairchild Air Force Base, Spokane, Washington March Air Force Base, Riverside, California Nellis Air Force Base, Las Vegas, Nevada Luke Air Force Base, Phoenix, Arizona Lockbourne Air Force Base, Columbus, Ohio Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Hill Air Force Base, Ogden, Utah Scott Air Force Base, Belleview, Illinois Selfridge Air Force Base, Mt. Clemens, Michigan Donaldson Air Force Base, Greenville, South Carolina McDill Air Force Base, Tampa, Florida Westover Air Force Base, Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts 2. It is requested that 24-hour specimens be collected from ten individuals, each week for a period of 14 weeks beginning the last week in January. For the study under consideration, it is preferable that the specimens be collected from the same individuals. If this is not possible, as many of the same ten should be utilized as practicable. Bottles containing thymol will be furnished by the Department of Biophysics, Army Medical Service Graduate School, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, D.C. Labels will be furnished which should be carefully completed for the proper identification of the specimens and should include the name, rank and serial number of the individual, the station, and date of collection and shipment. The shipment can be made by Railway Express and sent, Collect, to the Army Medical Service Graduate School. Immediate shipment is imperative because the study under consideration requires relatively recent specimens. Inclosure 2. WP ROUTING AND CONTROL SHEET NOTE: This Routing and control sheet will remain attached to this communication until all action required is completed. After action has been completed it will be filed in the Adjutant General's Office. TO INITIALS DATE FOR DATE CONTROL RECEIVED NUMBER Chief, AFSWP A... L 12/15 APPROVAL Deputy Chief, USA COMMENT 6 Chief Staff 12/15 CONCURRENCE FILE SUSPENSE NUMBER DATE DSC/OPERATIONS 6 NECESSARY 921.1 ACTION CHIEF, PLANS AND ROUTS Note and FROM: Forward Ch, Fall- CHIEF, OPNS AND TNG Note and out Study Return Group, 13 Dec 54 DCS/ADMINISTRATION 1-5 Coordination Medical Br, CHIEF, SECURITY File In Ago WE Div CHIEF, PERSONNEL Signature 3 CHIEF, LOGISTICS sgd. 12/14 SUBJECT OR SUMMARY OF THE COMMUNICATION 4. DCS/TECHNICAL SERVICE 12/14 CHIEF, WPNS DEV FALL-OUT STUDIES 1 CHIEF, WPNS EFFECTS sgd 13 Dec. CHIEF, SPNS TEST 5 ADJUTANT GENERAL TYPE OF COMMUNICATION; NUMBER INSPECTOR GENERAL OF COPIES, INCLOSURES AND SPECIAL ASST. TO CHIEF, INDORSEMENTS AFSWP SECRET CONTROL OFFICE Ltr. to SG, D/AF, Attn: BG TECHNICAL DIRECTOR H. H. Twitchell w/2 Incl. HISTORIAN (See below) 2 SURGEON sgd. 13 Dec 54 REMARKS Distribution: (SECRET Ltr & UNCL Incl. 1 & 2) Cys 1,2A - Addressee Cys 3,4,5A - AG Cy 6A - Comeback cy, EF-5-1 Cys 7, 8A - Retained for File SECRET