ATTACHMENT 4 CONFIDENTIAL COMMITTEE ON MEDICAL SCIENCES RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT BOARD DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE WASHINGTON 25, D.C. AD HOC WORKING GROUP ON BIOMEDICAL PARTICIPATION ON FUTURE ATOMIC WEAPONS TESTS of the JOINT PANEL ON MEDICAL ASPECTS OF ATOMIC WARFARE BAW 201/3 Report of Meeting 24 February 1952 Oak Ridge, Tennessee MEMBERS PRESENT: Civilians Dr. Franklin C. McLean, Chairman Dr. Joseph C. Aub Dr. Robley D. Evans U.S. Army Brig. Gen. E. DeCoursey, MC U.S. Navy CAPT Van Coilier Tipton, MC U.S. Air Force Col. John M. Talbot, MC AFSWP Dr. Herman E. Pearse COMMITTEE STAFF: Dr. Thomas B. Spencer Dr. F. Lloyd Mussells Dr. William H. Fitzpatrick Lt. Col. William C. Burry, MC, USA CDR Joseph P. Pollard, MC, USN Colonel Charles E. Melcher, USAF, MC THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS INFORMATION AFFECTING THE NATIONAL DEFENSE OF THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE ESPIONAGE LAWS, TITLE I8, U.S.C., SECTIONS 793 AND 794. THE ILLEGIBLE OR THE REVELATION OF ITS CONTENTS IN ANY MANNER TO AN UNAUTHORIZED PERSON IS PROHIBITED BY LAW. - 1 - CONFIDENTIAL OTHERS PRESENT: Dr. George LeRoy Dr. C.S. Shoupe, AEC, Oak Ridge Lt. Col. Gerald M. McDonnel, MC, USA, AFSWP Lt. Col. James B. Hartgering, MC, USA, AFSWP The meeting convened at ILLEGIBLE. The Working Group: 1. Approved the following motions: WHEREAS it is necessary for the closest coordination between the Armed Forces Special Weapons Project and the Joint Panel on the Judicial Aspects of Atomic Warfare. BE IT RESOLVED that Lt. Col. G. J. McDonnel, MC, USA and Lt. Col. James B. Hartgering, MC, USA of the AFSWP staff be appointed members of this ad hoc working group. 2. Noted the briefing presented by Lt. Col. McDonnel on the status of future atomic weapons tests scheduled through the Spring of 1953. 3. Discussed the minutes and recommendations of the Armed Forces Biomedical Planning Conference held 12 February 1952. 4. Reviewed and discussed the memorandum prepared by Dr. Harry C. Ehrmantraut, BAW 201/1, "Biomedical Participation in Future Atomic Weapons Tests," dated 20 September 1951. 5. Strongly recommended to the Joint Panel on the Medical Aspects of Atomic Warfare that the following problems be initiated at future atomic weapons tests: PROBLEM #1: Thermal Burn, Large Area OBJECTIVE: To obtain large area burns from the atomic weapon, to correlate laboratory and field data, and to determine feasibility of mass therapy. A few animals will give data on relative characteristics of laboratory and bomb burns. The ultimate objectives should be activated only when new promising therapeutic procedures are available. BAW 201/3 2 PROCEDURE: Sizeable portions of animals will be exposed to obtain large area profile type burns. PROBLEM #2: Mass ILLEGIBLE and Therapy of Radiation Syndrome OBJECTIVE: To provide field evaluation of prophylactic and therapeutic measures for the ionizing radiation syndrome which appear to have merit in laboratory studies. PROCEDURE: The weapon provides an excellent source to which a statistically significant number of animals can be exposed to varying dosages of ionizing radiation at the same time. PROBLEM #3: Direct Air Blast Effects on Large Animals OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of the shock and overpressures on large animals, for possible extrapolation to humans. PROCEDURE: Animals may be exposed to the shock front itself, and overpressures resulting from the shock front. The knowledge of the effects of blast in protective uses is desirable. It is expected that this experiment will provide a field biological check for laboratory developed shock tubes. The ionizing radiation hazard should be simultaneously evaluated. PROBLEM #4: Long-Term Effects of Low Dosages of Weapon Radiation OBJECTIVE: To determine the long-term effects of low dosages of gamma radiation. PROCEDURE: Survivors of animals exposed at Operation GREENHOUSE are now being studied. It appears that all of these animals show some ILLEGIBLE effect as a result of this experience. Dosages received were all in excess of 150r. Animals in the proposed experiment would be exposed to smaller dosages than those encountered at Operation GREENHOUSE and would be followed in a similar fashion. PROBLEM #5: Hazard from Flying Through The Atomic Cloud OBJECTIVE: To obtain definitive information on the hazard of the presence of radioactivity and/or thermal hazards within an atomic cloud. PROCEDURE: Animals will be exposed in drone aircraft passing through the atomic cloud at various time intervals after detonation. Dosimetry and thermometry are procedures which will be included. Data obtained will aid in determining operational procedures related to the problem. BAW 201/3 3 SECURITY INFORMATION CONFIDENTIAL PROBLEM #6: Inhalation Hazard from Undersurface Burst OBJECTIVE: The hazards from inhalation are yet to be determined. This problem requires a statistically valid number of animals to be observed over a long period of time. (Life span of animal) PROCEDURE: A statistically significant number of animals is to be exposed to a nuclear particulate hazard. Such of the work can be done in the laboratory. It may appear feasible to expose large numbers of animals under suitable field conditions. PROBLEM #7: Combined Injury from Weapon OBJECTIVE: To determine the synergistic effect of sublethal dosages of ionizing radiation in various combinations with typical mechanical and/or thermal injuries of nuclear explosions. PROCEDURE: Animals will be exposed to various controlled amounts of nuclear and thermal radiation as well as blast, to produce combined injuries. These will be observed clinically with and without medical management. PROBLEM #8: Determination of Early Pathological Changes in Animals Exposed to Ionizing Radiation OBJECTIVE: To determine the physiological and pathological changes occurring in animals within fifteen minutes after exposure to ionizing radiation delivered in a short period of time. PROCEDURE: Animals will be exposed to varied dosages of weapon radiation. Physiological and pathological changes will be studied by early recovery from the site, or by suitable embalming techniques and then analyzed by histological, physiological and/or biochemical methods. 6. The Ad Hoc working Group adjourned at 1830. THOMAS B. SPENCER, M.D. Executive Director Committee on Medical Sciences BAW 201/3 4 SECURITY INFORMATION CONFIDENTIAL