NERC-LV-539-16
ANIMAL INVESTIGATION PROGRAM 1970 ANNUAL REPORT
w *>
D. D. Smith and K. R. Giles
Farm and Animal Investigation Branch
Monitoring Systems Research and Development Laboratory
National Environmental Research Center
U, S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Las Vegas, NV 89114
Published January 1974
This study performed under a Memorandum
of Understanding No. AT(26-l)-539
for the
U. S. ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION
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NOTICE
This report was prepared as an account of work sponsored
by the United States Government. Neither the United States
nor the United States Atomic Energy Commission, nor any
of their employees, nor any of their contractors, subcon-
tractors, or their employees, makes any warranty, express
or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility
for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any infor-
mation, apparatus, product or process disclosed, or repre-
sents that its use would not infringe privately-owned rights.
AVAILABLE FROM THE NATIONAL TECHNICAL INFORMATION SERVICE
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
SPRINGFIELD, VA 22151
PRICE: PAPER COPY $5.45 MICROFICHE $1.45
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NERC-LV-539-16
ANIMAL INVESTIGATION PROGRAM 1970 ANNUAL REPORT
by
D. D. Smith and K. R. Giles
Farm and Animal Investigation Branch
Monitoring Systems Research and Development Laboratory
National Environmental Research Center
U. S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Las Vegas, NV 89114
Published January 1974
This study performed under a Memorandum
of Understanding No. AT(26-l)-539
for the
U. S. ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION
-------
ABSTRACT
This report presents the radionuclide contents of tissues collected during
1970 from cattle, deer, desert bighorn sheep, and other wildlife on or
near the Nevada Test Site (NTS).
Gamma emitting radionuclides were infrequently detected in the tissues of
animals living on or around the NTS. However, I was detected in the
thyroids of all beef animals sampled during October. The probable source
131
of the I was a non-U. S. atmospheric test conducted on October 14, 1970.
Elevated levels of I, Ru, and 3H were detected in the tissues of
wildlife that drank from drainage ponds that collect runoff waters from
the mines used for testing activities. A man, eating 311 g of the flesh
131 3
on one chukar sampled, would ingest 34.2 nCi of I and 53 yCi of H.
90
The average Sr levels detected in the bones of three ruminant species
sampled on and around the NTS ranged from 2.4 to 5.6 pCi/g of ash. These
levels are lower than those reported during 1969 and reflect the downward
trend observed since the cessation of atmospheric testing.
No gross or microscopic lesions were detected that could be directly
attributed to the effects of ionizing radiation.
Details of special studies of wildlife utilizing the contaminated runoff
waters, of cattle-grazing in the Schooner fallout area, and surveillance
activities associated with Project Rulison are also presented.
Other activities of the Animal Investigation Program including claim
investigation, public information displays, etc., during 1970 are
described.
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TABLE ON CONTENTS
ABSTRACT i
LIST OF FIGURES iii
LIST OF TABLES iii
INTRODUCTION AND HISTORY 1
THE NEVADA TEST SITE BEEF HERD . 2
WILDLIFE STUDIES 12
Mule Deer 12
Desert Bighorn Sheep 15
Other Wildlife 15
SPECIAL STUDIES 18
Haines Ponds Study 18
Fistulated Steer Surveillance Study of 23
Schooner Fallout in the Queen City Summit Area
Project Rulison Study 29
Baneberry Studies 30
PUBLIC INFORMATION AND EDUCATION 31
INVESTIGATIONS AND CLAIMS 32
Hot Creek Ranch Investigation 32
REFERENCES , 34
APPENDICES 36
DISTRIBUTION
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LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLES
Page
FIGURE
(
Beef, and Bighorn Sheep 11
90
1. Comparison of Sr levels in the Bones of Deer,
TABLE
1. Vital Statistics of NTS Cattle Sampled During 1970 3
2. Summary of Analytical Results of Tissues from Six
Range Animals - Spring 1970 7
3. Summary of Analytical Results of Tissues from Seven
Range Animals - Fall 1970 8
4. Summary of Analytical Results of Tissues from Three
Corralled Cattle That Died from Natural Causes
During 1970 9
5. Vital Statistics of Mule Deer Collected During 1970 13
6; Summary of Analytical Results of Tissues from Six
i Mule Deer - 1969-1970 14
7. Vital Statistics of Desert Bighorn Sheep Collected
During 1970 16
8. Activity Levels in Haines Ponds Samples 18
9. Analytical Results of Water Samples Collected on the
Nevada Test Site 19
10. Analytical Results of Tissues From Wildlife Collected
Near Haines Ponds 20
11. Analytical Results of Rumen Contents of Cattle Grazing
the Queen City Summit Area 24
12. Botanical Analysis of Rumen Contents of Bovine Grazing
the Queen City Summit Area 25
13. Analytical Results of Tissues Collected from Two Cows 28
that Grazed the Queen City Summit Area
14. Project Rulison Post-Shot Activities 29
m
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INTRODUCTION AND HISTORY
The predecessor of the Animal Investigation Program was the Off-Site
Animal Investigation Project which was inaugurated in July of 1957
by the U. S. Atomic Energy Commission under the direction of an
U. S. Army Veterinarian attached to the Nevada Operations Office^ '.
This responsibility was transferred to the National Environmental Research
Center, Las Vegas (NERC-LV) (formerly the Southwestern Radiological Health
Laboratory), on June 1, 1964.
At that time the scope of the program was broadened to include the present
objectives of:
1. The determination of tissue concentrations of fresh and/or aged
fission and activation products in biological samples obtained
from cattle on the NTS and from off-site ranches, if required.
2. The development and conduction of wildlife studies on and near
the NTS in cooperation with state and federal wildlife agencies
in order to assess the radionuclide burden in tissues collected
from various edible wildlife species.
3. The gross and microscopic examination of tissues collected from
domestic and wild animals for the detection of pathological
changes, possibly due to the tissue concentrations of the
radionuclides.
4. The maintenance of veterinary relations with the off-site
population.
5. The investigation of alleged damage to domestic animals from the
activities the Atomic Energy Commission conducts.
This report details the analytical data collected and progress made in
meeting the above objectives during 1970.
1
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THE NEVADA TEST SITE BEEF HERD
The NTS beef herd has been in existence since 1957. The herd history and
/2\
animal husbandry details have been described previouslyv '. Also
published are range^ ' and soir ' surveys of the grazing area (Area 18)
utilized by the herd.
In the last few years, through natural increase, the herd became too large
for efficient management; therefore, in November of 1970, 38 animals were
surplused and transferred to the University of Nevada, Reno. Following
this transaction, the herd consisted of 71 animals as follows:
2 bulls; 16 aged cows (5 years and older); 5 four-year-old cows;
8 three-year-old cows; 1 three-year-old steer; 11 two-year-old heifers;
4 two-year-old steers; 6 yearling heifers; 2 yearling steers; eight 1970
heifer calves and eight 1970 steer calves. The 1970 calving percentage
was 80% (36 calves from 45 breeding females). The average rate of gain
of the nursing calves was 1.1 pounds per day during the 100-day period
between May 19 and August 26. They received no supplemental feed during
this period.
As part of the surveillance activities of the Animal Investigation Program,
six animals from the herd are sacrificed semiannually and selected tissues
are collected for radioanalysis and histopathological examination. These
sacrifices took place on May 20 and October 30. The vital statistics of
the sacrificed animals are presented in Table 1. Unless otherwise noted,
each sacrificed animal spent its entire life grazing on the Area 18 range
of the NTS. The fall collection included samples from a seventh animal,
as one of the cows was accidently killed while loading her in a trailer
during the August roundup. In addition to the samples collected from the
range animals sacrificed for this purpose, samples were collected from
three corralled animals (two dairy cows, one fistulated steer) that died
from natural causes.
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Table 1. Vital Statistics of Nevada Test Site Cattle Sampled During 1970
Date Sacrificed
ID Number or Date Died Breed
BOV-l-NTS-70
BOV-2-NTS-70
BOV-3-NTS-70
BOV-4-NTS-70
BOV-5-NTS-70
BOV-6-NTS-70
BOV-7-NTS-70
BOV-8-NTS-70
BOV-9-NTS-70
BOV-10-NTS-70
BOV-ll-NTS-70
BOV-12-NTS-70
BOV-13-NTS-70
AHU-44-NTS-70
20 May
20 May
20 May
20 May
20 May
20 May
26 Aug
29 Oct
29 Oct
29 Oct
29 Oct
29 Oct
29 Oct
14 Jan
Hereford
Hereford
Hereford
Hereford
Hereford
Hereford
Hereford
Hereford
Hereford
Hereford
Hereford
Hereford
Hereford
Holstein
Sex
M
M
F
M
M
M
F
F
F
M
F
M
M
F
Age (a)
2
1
4
3
3
1
5
1
6
3
14+
1
1
10
Wt. (kg) Remarks
300
190
431
375
505
225
320
234
384
523
400
320
305
880
Infantile genitalia
a "freemartin".
Fibrin foreign body in
abdominal cavity.
Thickened urinary
bladder.
Accidently strangled
during roundup. No
histopathology samples
collected.
Pregnant 3.5-month-old
fetus .
One of the original
cows in herd. Pregnant
2-month-old fetus.
Euthanized. Terminal
lymphosarcoma with
secondary emphysema.
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Table 1. Vital Statistics of Nevada Test Site Cattle Sampled During 1970(cont'd)
Date Sacrificed
ID Number or Date Died Breed Sex Age (a) Wt. (kg) Remarks
AHU-903-NTS-70 9 May
Hereford M
AHU-36-NTS-70 13 Aug
Hoi stein F
5.5
800 Fistulated steer.
Died from cardiac
failure. Kept in
Well 3 corrals,
except for one day
a month for last
four years.
570 Died of tympanites.
Was in milking string
at Area 15 farm.
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Each sacrificed animal was killed by firing a 0.243 caliber bullet into
the brain. Immediately after death the animal was necropsied and all
pathological conditions were noted. Samples of adrenals, eyes, heart,
kidneys, liver, lungs, muscle, spleen, thyroid, and gonads of each animal
were taken and tissue sections were prepared and submitted to a patho-
logist for microscopic examination. A summary of the histopathological
findings is presented in Appendix I.
Tissues routinely collected for radioanalysis included rumen content,
liver, lung, muscle, thyroid, blood or urine, fetus, if present, and bone
from the femur. Quantitative analysis of the soft tissues by gamma spec-
troscopy was made for 181W, 144Ce, 140Ba, 137Cs, 131I, 6Ru, 95Zr, 54Mn,
and K as determined by the 40K fraction. Urine or blood was analyzed for
3 89 Qfl
H. Bone was analyzed for Sr, Sr, am
i >
were also analyzed for plutonium content.
3H. Bone was analyzed for 89Sr, 90Sr, and 239Pu. Selected soft tissues
The soft tissues of sufficient volume were prepared for gamma analysis
by grinding and placing in 1000-ml polyethylene Marinelli beakers. Those
of smaller volume, i.e., thyroid, kidneys, etc. were prepared for analysis
by macerating in a blender and then suspended in agar in a 400-ml container.
The samples were then counted for 100 minutes on a 4-inch by 4-inch Nal(Tl)
crystal connected to a 400-channel pulse height analyzer calibrated to a
10 keV/channel.
QQ Qfl
Tissues for oySr, *"Sr, and plutonium analyses were prepared by low temper-
ature ashing. An aliquot of animal tissues was dissolved and the plutonium was
(5)
separated by adsorbtion and selective elution from an anion exchange resin v '.
Plutonium was then electroplated and counted on a solid state alpha spectro-
meter. The recovery was determined by use of 23^Pu as an internal standard.
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Other analytical procedures used at the NERC-LV were described in another
publication' '. The minimum detectable activities established at the
NERC-LV are listed in Appendix II and are expressed in the analytical data
tables as less than a minimum detectable activity (MDA) in the total
sample analyzed. All data reported are at the 95% confidence level and
are corrected to time of collection.
The analytical results of tissues from the NTS cattle are summarized in
Tables 2, 3, and 4. The rumen contents showed the widest variety of
radionuclides detected. Cerium-144 was found in the rumen contents of
nearly all range animals but appeared in the livers of only three animals.
Zirconium-95 and Ru were not detected in any tissues, as they are not
readily absorbed through the gut but are passed out of the animal in
the feces. Levels of radionuclides found in the ingesta of the range
animals (Tables 2 and 3) were significantly higher than those of the
corralled animals (Table 4).
Air samples, from the Routine Air Surveillance Network Stations located
throughout the West, were collected from October 19 to October 26 and
131
showed concentrations of fresh fission products including I. These
concentrations were attributed to a non-U. S. atmospheric test that was
conducted on October 14, 1970. Iodine-131 was found in the thyroids of
all animals sacrificed on October 29 (Table 3). These levels probably
came from the same source and emphasize the value of grazing animals as
biological "fallout" monitors.
The only significant difference observed that might be attributable to
239
age was the Pu content of tissues from an aged cow (>14. years) sacrificed
in the fall. The respective levels in her femur and lungs were found to
be 27 ± 4 pCi/kg and 89 ± 7 pCi/kg. The average plutonium levels found
in the femurs of the younger animal sampled at this time was 3.7 pCi/kg
with a range of 1.1 to 8 pCi/kg. The only other lung submitted for
plutonium analysis was from a 5-year-old cow and the level reported was
1.7 pCi/kg. During 1971, the lungs, tracheo-bronchial lymph nodes, liver,
239
and femur from all sacrificed cattle will be analyzed for Pu content.
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Table 2. Summary of Analytical Results of Tissues from Six Range Animals -
Spring 1970
Isotope
K
g/kg
"Sr
pCi/g
90Sr
pCi/g
95Zr
pCi/kg
106Ru
pCi/kg
13lji!
pCi/g
137Cs
pCi/kg
i^Ce
pCi/kg
181W
pCi/kg
239pu
pCi/kg
3H
nCi/1
Rumen
Content
0.8(6)
0.5-1.0
NA
NA
120(5)
50-170
500(3)
450-500
<25
<25
500(5)
250-650
800(5)
500-1400
NA
NA
Liver
1.2(6)
0.9-1.5
NA
NA
<25
<250
<25
60(2)
25-100
<250
90.0(5)
400-200C
NA
NA
Lung
1.0(6)
0.5-1.8
NA
NA
<25
<250
<25
<25
<250
975(2)
) 850-110
2.0(6)
1.0-4.C
NA
Muscle
1.7(6)
1.4-1.9
NA
NA
<25
<250
<25
40(5)
25-60
<250
<300
0
NA
NA
Thyroid
<0.3
NA
NA
<25
<250
<25
<25
<250
<300
NA
NA
Bone
Femur
wet wt.
NA
0.45 (3)
0.4-0.5
0.9(6)
0.8-1.1
MA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
0.8(3)
0.5-1.2
NA
Bone
Femur
ash
NA
1.8(3)
1.5-2.5
3.9(6)
3.0-4.5
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Blood
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
0.5(5)
0.5-0.8
First number is average, number in parenthesis is number of samples greater
than MDA, third set of numbers is the range.
NA = Not analyzed.
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Table 3. Summary of Analytical Results of Tissues from Seven Range Animals -
Fall 1970
Isotope
K
g/kg
89Sr
pCi/g
90Sr
pCi/g
95Zr
pCi/kg
106Ru
pCi/kg
131!
PCi/g
137Cs
pCi/kg
llti+Ce
pCi/kg
181W
pCi/kg
239pu
pCi/kg
Rumen
Content
0.8(7)
0.5-1.9
NA
NA
45(5)
45-50
250(2)
200-300
<25
<25
500(7)
300-800
<300
NA
Liver
1.6(7)
1.0-2.5
NA
NA
<25
<250
<25
80(1)
300(3)
200-400
<300
NA
Lung
1.3(7)
1.0-1.9
NA
NA
<25
<250
<25
230(1)
<250
<300
See
below1
Muscle
1.9(7)
1.1-3.7
NA
NA
<25
<250
<25
45(3)
30-50
<250
<300
NA
Thyroid
<0.3
NA
NA
<25
<250
6.2(6)
4.3-9.7
<25
<250
<300
NA
Bone
Femur
wet wt
NA
<1.5
1.0(7)
0.4-1.9
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
25.2 (4)
1.1-89.7
Bone
Femur
Ash
NA
<5.0
4.3(7)
1.5-8.3
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Blood
0.5(4)
0.3-0.6
NA
NA
<25
<250
<25
<25
<250
<300
NA
First number is average, number in parenthesis is number of samples greater
than MDA, third set of numbers is the range.
NA = Not analyzed.
llung tissues analyzed for 239Pu were from BOV-7 (1.7 pCi/kg) and BOV-11 (89.7
pCi/kg). BOV-11, an aged cow, also had elevated 239Pu in the femur (27 pCi/kg).
8
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Table 4. Sunmary of Analytical Results of Tissues from Three Corralled
Cattle that Died from Natural Causes During 1970.
Isotope
K
gAg
89Sr
pCi/g
90Sr
pCi/g
95Zr
pCi/kg
106Ru
pCi/kg
131'ij
pCi/g
137Cs
pCi/kg
iMfCe
pCi/kg
181W
pCi/kg
23Spu
pCi/kg
3H
nCi/1
Rumen
Content
1.3(3)
1.0-1.5
NA
NA
<25
<250
<25
<25
(
<250
<300
NA
NA
Liver
1.6(3)
1.0-2.1
NA
NA
<25
<250
<25
300-
]ow 36 or
<250
<300
NA 1
C(
NA
Lung
1.6(3)
0.7-3.0
NA
NA
<25
<250
<25
<25
iiy
<250
<300
.4 ±0.3
>w 36 on
NA
Muscle
2.8(2)
1.5-4.0
NA
NA
<25
<250
<25
<25
<250
<300
NA
ly
NA
Thyroid
<0.3
NA
f
NA
<25
<250
<25
<25
<250
<300
NA
NA
Bone
Femur
wet wt.
NA
0.08
±0.06
HU 44 only
0.56(3)
0.2-1.0
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
3 ±2
Cow 36 onl
NA
Bone
Femur
ash
NA
0.35
±0.26
AHU 44
0.7-3
NA
MA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
y
NA
AMI
Urine
NA
NA
only
-
NA
4
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
0.8
J 903 only
First number is average, number in parenthesis is number of samples greater
than MDA, third set of numbers is the range.
NA = Not analyzed.
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90
The Sr content of the femurs continued the downward trend of recent
years (Figure 1). That of the range animals averaged 4.1 pCi/g of ash
this year, as compared to 5.4 pCi/g of ash during 1969' '.
10
-------
From 1964 on, the number of bone samples from each species is listed at the top of each column.
30-1
25-
. _ . v, 12
I20
O
CO
0>
o
o>
10-
5-
J I! BIGHORN SHEEP
^ 111111111 DEER
jj fr^^^TM CATTLE
Ilik
1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970
Figure 1. Comparison of 90Sr in Bones of Bighorn Sheep, Deer, and Cattle
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WILDLIFE STUDIES
Mule Deer (
As part of the wildlife studies, at least one mule deer (odoooileus
hem-ionus) per quarter was collected from the NTS. (See Table 5 for vital
statistics.) Three deer were collected by hunting and three were
collected as a result of motor vehicle collisions.
The same samples for histopathology and radionuclide analysis were
collected as from the beef cattle with the exception that the bone was
taken from the hock joint instead of the femur. Because of the time
lapse and advanced postmortem changes, histopathologic samples were
usually not collected from the accident victims. The results of the
histopathological examination are found in Appendix I.
In general, theeanalytical results shown in Table 6 paralleled those
found in the beef cattle, except that the tissues from mule deer 3 and 4
101 1 r\c o
showed slightly elevated levels of I, Ru, and H. These animals
probably drank from ponds that were contaminated with runoff waters from
several tunnels in Area 12 of the NTS that were utilized for testing.
These ponds are discussed in the Special Studies sections which begin on
page 18. The only gamma emitting radionuclides detected in MD-l-LinCo-70
95 144
were 50 pCi/kg of Zr and 640 pCi/kg of Ce within the rumen contents.
Strontium-89 levels in the hock bones were below minimum detectable
activities. Strontium-90 levels continue the.ir decline observed in recent
years. Analytical results on six hock bone samples averaged 2.4 pCi/g
of ash this year compared to 6.8 of last year (see Figure 1)* '. The
strontium levels in the hock of the deer collected off the NTS
(MD-l-LinCo-70) were 2.5 ± 0.9 pCi/g of ash.
Plutonium-239 was found in the hock bones of two animals. The sample from
MD-3-NTS-70 contained 47 ± 7 pCi/kg of wet weight and that from MD-5-NTS-70
239
had 1.2 ± 0.5 pCi/kg wet weight. The lung burden of Pu found in
MD-3-NTS-70 (0.5 ±0.2 pCi/kg wet weight) was the highest found in mule
deer during 1970. The lungs from the off-site animal (MD-l-LinCo-70) did
not contain detectable activities of plutonium.
12
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Table 5. Vital Statistics of Mule Deer Collected in 1970
Estimated Estimated Date
Number Sex Age (a) Wt. (kg) Collected Remarks
MD-l-NTS-70 M
MD-2-NTS-70 M
MD-3-NTS-70 M
1
MD-4-NTS-70 M
MD-5-NTS-70
4-5
MD-l-Lin Co- M 31/2
70
45 15 Apr Collected by hunting,
Gold Meadows, Area 12,
NTS.
60 17 Jun Collected by hunting,
Rainier Mesa Road, Area 18,
NTS.
50 24 Sep Collected by hunting.
Kawich Valley Road, 1/2
mile north of intersection
of Rainier Mesa Road,
Area 12, NTS.
55 7 Nov Road kill on Pahute Mesa
Road, Area 17, NTS
21 Nov Road kill, Area 2. Most
of the carcass eaten by
coyotes. Only hock and
thyroid samples collected.
77 29 Oct Road kill, 13 miles north
of Pioche, Nevada, on
Highway 93.
13
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Table 6. Summary of Analytical Results of Tissues from Six Mule Deer - 1970
f
Isotope
K
g/kg
89Sr
pCi/g
9°Sr
PCi/g
95Zr
pCi/kg
106Ru
pCi/kg
1311
pCi/g
137Cs
pCi/kg
i^Ce
pCi/kg
181W
pCi/kg
239Pu
pCi/kg
3H
nCi/1
Rumen
Content
1.3(5)
1.1-1.4
NA
NA
70(3)
50-90
530(3)
250-730
<25
<25
675(4)
300-1200
<300
NA
NA
Liver
1.6(5)
1.1-2.8
NA
NA
<25
825(2)
450-120C
<25
<25
<250
<300
NA
NA
Lung
1.7(5)
1.2-2.:
NA
NA
<25
i
Muscle
1.8(5)
5 1.5-2.1
NA
NA
<25
1200(1) 730(1)
) MD-4 only
<25
<25
<250
<300
0.3(4)
0.2-0.!
NA
0.12 (1)
MD-4 on'
45(2)
30-60
<250
<300
NA
NA
i
Thyroi d
<0.3
NA
NA
<25
<250
1.1-560*
y
<25
<250
<300
NA
NA
1 i
Bone
Femur
wet wt.
NA
<1.5
0.7(6)
0.2
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
24.0(2)
1.2-47
NA
i 1
i
Bone
Femur
ash
NA
<5.0
2.4(6)
3.9-3.5
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
i
Urine
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
2.2(3)
1.1-4.3
First number is average, number in parenthesis is number of samples greater
than MDA, third set of numbers is the range.
NA = Not analyzed.
*MD-3 =1,1 pCi/g
MD-4 = 560 pCi/g
14
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Desert Bighorn Sheep
Through the cooperation of the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, hock joint
samples were collected from desert bighorn sheep (Ovis eanadensis nelson-i)
killed during the fall and winter special hunts. See Table 7 for vital
statistics of desert bighorn sheep from which samples were collected. The
90
Sr results from 14 hock joints collected in December of 1969 and January
of 1970 averaged 5.6 pCi/g of ash with a range of 2.7 to 9.1 pCi/g of ash.
90
The Sr results decreased from that reported for 1968-1969 which averaged
9.1 pCi/g of ash (see Figure 1). Since the cessation of atmospheric test-
ing in
bones.
90
ing in 1962, there has been a gradual decrease in the Sr content of the
OQ
Only four hock samples had detectable amounts of Sr and they ranged from
1.6 to 2.4 pCi/g of ash with an average of 2.0 pCi/g of ash. Two of four
hock samples selected for plutonium analysis contained detectable levels
239
of Pu. The values reported were 2.3 ± 1.6 and 3.2 ± 3.0 pCi/kg wet
weight. One of two lung samples from penned sheep contained 0.4 ± 0.2 pCi
239
Pu per kg of wet weight.
Necropsies were performed on three desert bighorn sheep that died in the
pens at Corn Creek (see Appendix I). The gamma spectrum of all the tissues
collected from these animals was below the minimum detectable activities.
Other Wildlife
Small animals and birds are also collected periodically from the NTS. During
1970 other species collected were chukar partridge, sparrows, coyotes, and
jackrabbits. The gamma emitting radionuclide content of tissues from these
species, except from those animals collected near Haines Ponds (see next
section), was below the minimum detectable activities of the analytical
instruments of NERC-LV.
During the fall of 1970, water samples were collected from seven locations
on the Desert National Wildlife Range. The gamma emitting radionuclide
and tritium content of all samples was below the Center limits of minimum
detectable activities.
15
-------
Table 7. Vital Statistics of Desert Bighorn Sheep Collected 1969-1970.
Estimated Estimated Date
Number Sex Age (a) Wt. (kg) Collected
Remarks
DB-l-DGR-69 M
DB-2-DGR-69 M
DB-3-D6R-69 M
DB-4-DGR-69 M
DB-5-DGR-69 M
DB-6-DGR-69 M
DB-7-DGR-69 M
DB-8-DGR-69 M
DB-9-DGR-69 M
8
11
12
90
85
120
77
69
90
70
130
80
11/25/69 Wild sheep. Hunter killed.
Cabin Spring area of Desert
National Wildlife Range.
12/23/69 Wild sheep. Hunter killed.
Pintwater Range of Desert
National Wildlife Range.
11/23/69 Wild sheep. Hunter killed.
White Rock Spring of Desert
National Wildlife Range.
12/4/69 Wild sheep. Hunter killed.
Desert National Wildlife
Range.
12/30/69 Wild sheep. Hunter killed.
White Sage Gap area of
Desert National Wildlife
Range.
12/6/69 Wild sheep. Hunter killed.
White Rock Spring area of
Desert National Wildlife
Range. Hock sample collected.
12/1/69 Wild sheep. Hunter killed.
Saw Mill Canyon area of
Desert National Wildlife
Range. Hock sample collected.
12/29/69 Wild sheep. Hunter killed.
Heaven Well area of Desert
National Wildlife Range, Unit
27A. Hock sample collected.
12/10/69 Wild sheep. Hunter killed.
Desert National Wildlife
Range. Hock sample collected.
16
-------
Table 7. Vital Statistics of Desert Bighorn Sheep Collected 1969-1970 (cont'd)
Estimated Estimated Date
Number Sex Age (a) Wt. (kg) Collected
Remarks
DB-10-D6R-69 M
DB-ll-DGR-69 M
DB-12-DGR-69 M
DB-13-DGR-69 M
DB-14-DGR-69 M
DB-l-DGR-70 F
DB-2-DGR-70 M
DB-3-DGR-70 F
8
12+
11
16
70
95
65
70
80
10
73
60
12/27/69 Wild sheep. Hunter killed.
Pintwater Range area of
Desert National Wildlife
Range. Hock sample collected.
12/12/69 Wild sheep. Hunter killed.
Desert National Wildlife
Range. Hock sample collected.
12/23/69 Wild sheep. Hunter killed.
Pintwater Range area of
Desert National Wildlife
Range. Hock sample collected.
12/24/69 Wild sheep. Hunter killed.
Sand Spring area of Desert
National Wildlife Range.
Hock sample collected.
12/3/69 Wild sheep. Hunter killed.
Desert National Wildlife
Range. Hock, sample collected.
8/19/70 Penned sheep. Died from
pneumonia. Samples not
collected for radioanalysis.
12/4/70 Penned sheep. Died from shock
associated with fractured
metatarsus. Histopathological
samples not collected.
12/5/70 Penned sheep. Died from
geriatric complications.
17
-------
SPECIAL STUDIES
Haines Ponds Study
In May of 1970, Hudson Moon, a Department of Defense nuclear test device,
was detonated in E-tunnel which had been mined into the face of Rainier
Mesa in Area 12 of the NTS. Haines Ponds are a series of three ponds
which are located in a canyon below E-tunnel portal and were intended to
collect runoff waters from the tunnel. Following the Hudson Moon Event,
the runoff waters draining the ES drift of E-tunnel contained certain
radionuclides. The Environmental Sciences Department of the Reynolds
Electric and Engineering Company reported the following activity levels
in water samples collected at the Haines Ponds.
Table 8. Activity Levels in Haines Ponds Samples
Source
131T
I
Date pCi/1
3U
H
yCi/1
Makeup water from ES drift
to first pond
Lower Haines pond
7/8/70
7/8/70
23
85
500
13
Following receipt of this information, a water sampling survey was made
of the Haines Ponds and of the runoff ponds below T-tunnel to establish
the current activity levels, and of the natural springs and water wells
in adjacent areas to determine if these waters were also contaminated.
The analytical data are listed in Table 9.
As feral horses, mule deer, chukar, rabbits, coyotes, and numerous small
birds in the area frequently used these ponds as a water source, wildlife
were collected to determine the tissue burdens. Chukar, sparrows, a
coyote, and a rabbit were collected and sampled. The analytical data are
presented in Table 10.
18
-------
Table 9. Analytical Results of Water Samples Collected on the
Nevada Test Site During 1970.
Location
Haines Ponds
below E tunnel
Ponds below
T tunnel
Area 5 Pond
White Rock
Spring
Tub Spring
Well 8 Pond
Pahute CP
Pond ;
i
Well 3 Pondl
Area 15 Farm
Irrigation
Reservoir
Captain Jack
Spring
Ponds below
N tunnel
Ponds below
G tunnel
Date Sampled 131I nCi/1
7/28 3.0 x 103
7/28 4.6 x 102
7/29 <.01
7/29 <.01
8/5 <.01
8/5 <.01
8/5 <.01
9/16 <.01
9/24 <.01
11/17 <.01
11/18 <.01
12/03 <.01
106Ru nCi/1
8.0 x 103
5.6 x 103
<0.4
<0.4
<0.4
<0.4
<0.4
<0.4
<0.4
<0.4
<0.4
1.6 x 102
3H nCi/1
2.6 x 102
4.0 x 10"
1.3
<0.4
<0.4
<0.4
<0.4
<0.4
0.5
<0.4
2.3 x 102
1.4 x 105
19
-------
Table 10. Analytical Results of Tissues From Wildlife Collected Near Haines Ponds
Sample
Type
Composite of
muscle from
two chukar
Composite of
Viscera from
two chukar
Heads and
necks of two
chukar
Sparrows -
whole body
Coyote blood
Coyote
thyroid
Coyote
muscle
Coyote
liver
Coyote
lung
Coyote
stomach
contents
Rabbit
muscle
Date
Collected
7/28/70
7/28/70
7/28/70
7/29/70
7/29/70
7/29/70
7/29/70
7/29/70
7/29/70
7/29/70
7/28/70
Area
Collected
Haines Ponds
Haines Ponds
Haines Ponds
Haines Ponds
0.2 miles E
of Haines
Ponds
0.2 miles E
of Haines
Ponds
0.2 miles E
of Haines
Ponds
0.2 miles E
of Haines
Ponds
0.2 miles E
of Haines
Ponds
0.2 miles E
of Haines
Ponds
At ponds be-
low U-12 T
tunnel
pCi/g pCi/9
110 70
930 4.3 x 103
770 570
1.3 x 103 390
NA NA
1.1 x 106 3 x 10"
13 <1.0
140 <1.0
50 <1.0
920 150
1 1
3H .
uCi/1 of H20
260 uCi/1 of H00
or 170 pCi/kg bf
tissue (66.3%
moisture)
NA
NA
NA
1.5
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
0.07 pCi/1
or 0.05 uCi/kq
(742 mrvi ctnrp 1
20
-------
Table 10. Analytical Results of Tissues from Wildlife Collected Near Haines Ponds (cont'd)
Date Area 131I
Collected Collected pCi/g
106Ru
pCi/g
3H
pCi/1 of H20
7/28/70 At ponds be- 100
low U-12-T
tunnel
7/28/70 At ponds be- <0.2
low U-12-T
tunnel
<1
1.6
NA
NA
21
-------
The National Committee on Radiation Protection^ ' has published radio-
nuclide concentration guides in air and water for occupational exposure
during a 40-hour week. These guides allow up to 100 pCi of H and
-2 131
6 X 10 pCi of I per liter of water. The level of tritium in the
Haines Ponds water on July 28, 1970, was reported to be 0.26 yCi/1, which
131
would be approximately 1/500 of the guide. The I level on the same
date was 3 yCi/1 or 50 times greater than the guide for occupational
exposure.
Each gram of muscle tissue, from chukar drinking from Haines Ponds,
I Ol O
contained 110 pCi of I and 0.17 yCi of H. If 311 grams (approximately
3/4 pound) of this tissue were consumed by a man, his ingestion of I
(Q\
would be 34.2 nCi which, on the basis of 5.5 rem/pCiv ' in a 20-gram
thyroid, and assuming 0.2 as the fraction of iodine going to the thyroid,
would result in a dose of 38 mrem to the thyroid. However, this area
is not open to hunting and therefore the chukar are not available for
consumption by man.
3
There would be 53 yCi of H present as free water in a meal of 311 grams
(9)
of the chukar flesh, which on the basis of 0.17 mrem/yCiv ' would correspond
to a whole body dose of 8.9 mrem. Additional tritium present in the chukar
flesh as tritiated organic compounds would increase the actual dose somewhat.
The estimate of this increase is difficult but would certainly not exceed a
factor of two.
Goldfish were placed in the U-12-E pond to determine if they could survive
and be used as a biological monitor. Goldfish from the Area 5 reservoir
were transplanted but they survived only 4-1/2 to 5 hours, as the dissolved
oxygen content of the water was less than 2.5 parts per million.
22
-------
Fistulated Steer Surveillance Study of
Schooner Fallout in the Queen City Summit Area
Project Schooner, part of the continuing Plowshare program, was a nuclear
cratering detonation executed in a tuffaceous medium at the NTS.
Schooner was detonated at 0800 PST on December 8, 1968, and resulted in a
release of radioactive debris into the atmosphere. The portion of the cloud
containing the highest levels of gamma emitting radionuclides passed over
the Queen City Summit area''^. Considerable deposition of fallout debris
was observed by monitors in this area.
As privately owned cattle routinely graze in this area, it was decided to
use fistulated steers to collect monthly samples of the native vegetation
ingested by these animals. These samples were analyzed for radionuclide
content and for botanical makeup. Cattle native to the area were purchased
and sacrificed during the spring and fall. Tissues from the animals were
analyzed for radionuclide content and rumen contents were analyzed as above.
Once a month from April through September 1970, (except May, when the
sacrificed animal served as the botanical sample) two or three fistulated
steers were placed on the range and allowed to graze freely for 6-8 hours.
Prior to placement on the range, the animals were fasted for 24 hours and
the rumen was completely emptied^ '. After the grazing period, the freshly
consumed vegetation was removed from the rumen, placed in 400-ml plastic
containers, weighed, labeled and submitted for 100-minute gamma spectroscopy.
At this time a sample was also collected for botanical analysis' '. After
the gamma scan and botanical analysis were completed, the samples were
239
composited and submitted for Pu analysis. The analytical data are
presented in Table 11 and the botanical data are presented in Table 12.
In May and again in October, one aged cow grazing in the area was purchased,
sacrificed, necropsied and sampled. Both animals lived in the Queen City
Summit area for the major portion of their lives. The sacrifice and
necropsies were performed under field conditions. Tissue samples collected
were placed in plastic bags and were later ground, placed in 1000-ml Marinelli
23
-------
Table 11. Analytical Results of Rumen Contents of Bovine Grazing the Queen City Summit Area.
Date
Collected
4/8
4/8
4/8
5/6
6/11
6/11
7/16
7/16
8/19
8/19
9/18
9/18
9/18
9/18
10/23
Animal 3H Blood
Sampled pCi/ml
901 1.7
903 1.5
905 1.4
BOV-1-N16 <0.4
901 0.6 ± 0.3
905 0.9 ± 0.3
901 NA
905 NA
901 NA
905 NA
901 0.9 ± 0.3
902 0.6 ± 0.3
905 0.5 ± 0.3
Water <0.4
Well 3
corral
BOV-2- 0.4 ± 0.3
N16
95Zr
pCi/kg
<25
<25
<25
<25
70
<25
<25
100
200
30
40
50
80
<25
30
106Ru
pCi/kg
<250
<250
<250
<250
<250
<250
<250
<250
700
700
<250
<250
<250
<250
<250
137Cs
pCi/kg
<25
<25
<25
<25
<25
300
<25
<25
<25
<25
<25
<25
<25
<25
<25
pCi/kg
<250
<250
<250
<250
<250
<250
<250
<250
<250
<250
<250
<250
<250
<250
900
181W
pCi/kg
<300
<300
<300
<300
1.0 x 10"
1.9 x TO1*
1.4 x 103
1.1 x 10^
1.8 x 101*
4.9 x 103
3.2 x 103
3.7 x 103
4.8 x 103
<300
3.3 x 103
239Pu Analysis
pCi/kg (wet wt.)
NA
NA
NA
110 ± 10
170 ± 20
(composite of
901 and 905
rumen samples)
same as above
42 ± 4
(composite of
901 and 905
rumen samples)
same as above
13 ± 2
(composite of
901 and 905
rumen samples)
same as above
46 ± 5
(composite of
901, 902 and 90E
rumen samples)
same as above
same as above
NA
160 ± 100
24
-------
Table 12. Botanical Analysis of Rumen Contents of Bovine Grazing the Queen City Summit.
Date
Collected
4/8
4/8
4/8
5/6
Animal
Sampled
901
903
905
BOV-1-N16
Botanical Analysis
Salsola kali - 74%
Orhyzopsis hymenoides -
Orhyzopsis hymenoides -
Salsola kali - 3%
Orhyzopsis hymenoides -
Salsola kali - 1%
Hilaria jamesii - 88%
26%
97%
99%
6/11
6/11
7/16
7/16
8/19
8/19
9/18
901
905
901
905
901
905
All Animals
Eriogomuna - trace
Orhyzopsis hymenoides - 12%
Ephedra nevadensis - trace
Atriplex oentrifulia - trace
Orhyzopsis hymenoides - 47%
Sitanion hystrix - 41%
HilaTia jamesii - 10%
Bromus tectoriwn - 1%
Forb spp. - 1%
Hilaria jamesii - 53%
Orhyzopsis hymenoides - 20%
Sitanion hystrix - 17%
Eurotia lanata - trace
Eriogonwn spp. - trace
Euphorbia spp. - trace
Orhyzopsis hymenoides - 62%
Sitanion hystrix - 37%
Hilaria jamesii - 1%
Forb spp. - trace
Sitanion hystrix - 54%
Orhyzopsis hymenoides - 45%
Hilaria jamesii - 1%
Forb spp. - trace
Hilaria jamesii - 76%
Orhyzopsis hymenoides - 18%
Sitanion hystrix - 5%
Eriogonum spp. - 1%
Orhyzopsis hymenoides - 45%
Sitanion hystrix - 36%
Hilaria jamesii - 18%
Forb spp. - 1%
Samples not analyzed
25
-------
Table 12. Botanical Analysis of Rumen Contents of Bovine Grazing the Queen City Summit,
(continued)
Date Animal
Collected Sampled Botanical Analysis
10/23 BOV-2-N16 HUaria jamesU - 59%
Orhyzopsis hymenoides - 36%
Atriplex oanesoens - 3%
Eriogomm spp. - 2%
Euratia lanata - trace
26
-------
beakers and analyzed by gamma spectroscopy and radiochemical methods. The
analytical data are presented in Table 13. Histopathological examinations
were made of selected tissue samples (see Appendix I).
There was little rainfall between April and October; hence, the vegetation
growth was sparse. This resulted in scanty samples from the fistulated
steers who grazed only for limited periods. These factors make the
validity of radionuclide analysis somewhat questionable. However, the
rumen samples from the sacrificed animals should have been quite represen-
tative of what the native herd was ingesting.
Radionuclides of interest found in the rumen contents included °'W and
"9pu. Tissue levels of W were found in the liver and lungs of the
239
sacrificed animals and Pu was found in the lungs and bones. Iodine-131
was detected in the thyroid of the animal sacrificed on October 23. This
probably came from a non-U. S. atmospheric test conducted on October 14,
1970.
27
-------
Table 13. Analytical Results of Tissues Collected from Two Cows that Grazed the Queen City
Summit Area.
ro
oo
Animal Tissue 3H
Number Type pCi/ml O
BOV-1-N16
BOV-2-N16
BOV-1-N16
BOV-2-N16
BOV-1-N16
BOV-2-N16
BOV-1-N16
BOV-2-N16
BOV-1-N16
BOV-2-N16
BOV-1-N16
BOV-1-N16
Liver
Liver
Lung
Lung
Muscle
Muscle
Thyroid
Thyroid
Blood
Blood
Bone
Bone
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
<0.4
<0.4
NA
NA
131J
pCi/kg
<25
<25
<25
<25
<25
<25
<25
3 x 103
NA
NA
NA
NA
137Cs
pCi/kg
<25
40
<25
<25
30
<25
<25
<25
NA
NA
NA
NA
181W
pCi/kg
<300
2.6 x
900
700
<300
<300
<300
<300
NA
NA
NA
NA
89Sr 90Sr 238Pu
pCi/g ash pCi/g ash pCi/kg
NA
103 NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
6.2 ±
<5
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
2.6 8.8 ±
5.1 ± 1
NA
NA
0.2 ± 0.1
0.7 ± 0.3
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
1.7 <0.1
.0 <0.1
239pu
pCi/kg
NA
NA
7.8 ±
22 ±
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
3.0 ±
2.0 ±
0.5
20
0.7
0.1
BOV-1-N16 was sacrificed 05/06/70 and BOV-2-N16 was sacrificed 10/23/70.
-------
Project Rulison Study
Project Rulison's purpose was to study the economic and technical feasibility
of using underground nuclear explosives to stimulate production of natural
gas from the low productivity, gas-bearing Mesa Verde formation in the Rulison
field in Garfield County, Colorado-^13'
A biological sampling program was initiated in August 1969 in order to docu-
ment the background levels of radionuclides in the tissues of domestic animals
and wildlife in the Rulison area. The Project Rulison post-shot plans and
evaluation document^ ' directed the Animal Investigation Program to continue
to collect biological samples from domestic animals, deer and other wildlife,
prior to drill-back, and at intervals during and after operational activities at
the Rulison site. Selected organs were to be analyzed for mixed fission products
and for trituim. Table 14 lists the time schedule of the various Project Rulison
post-shot activities.
Table 14. Project Rulison Post-Shot Activities
Activity
Detonation
Drill -back
Initial Flarings
Calibration
Flaring
High Rate Flaring
Intermediate Rate
Flaring
Date and
9/10/69
4/28/70
8/1/70
8/18/70
8/22/70
10/4/70
10/26/70
12/1/70
Time Begun
1500 MDT
2020 MDT
1137 MDT
1021 MDT
0630 MDT
1430 MST
1240 MST
Date and Time
7/28/70
8/1/70
8/18/70
8/22/70
10/7/70
11/3/70
12/20/70
Ended
2050 MDT
1157 MDT
1107 MDT
1315 MDT
1417 MST
1403 MST
There was no detectable increase in tritium levels found in the tissue samples
collected from domestic animals and wildlife of the area following any of the
Rulison activities. Levels of gamma emitting radionuclides in these tissues
remained below the minimum detectable activities for the Laboratory's analytical
systems.
29
-------
The analytical results of all tissues sampled are reported in Appendix III.
Surveillance activities near the Rulison site will continue during 1971.
Baneberry Studies
The Baneberry Event, detonated December 18, 1970, in Area 8 of the NTS,
resulted in the accidental release of significant amounts of radioactivity
from the test site. The Animal Investigation Program initiated a special
surveillance study that included collecting tissue samples from dairy
calves at the Area 15 farm, from bovine grazing on the Tonopah Test Range,
from bovine grazing in Kawich Valley and from sheep grazing in Coal Valley.
Wildlife from several areas in the state was also collected. The analytical
results from these collections will be published in a special report.
30
-------
PUBLIC INFORMATION AND EDUCATION
During 1970, there were 40 tours of the National Environmental Research
Center, Las Vegas facilities on the NTS. Approximately 1300 visitors on
these tours were briefed on the Animal Investigation Program activities.
These tour groups represented a wide range of interests and technical
background varying from NTS workers, students from the University of Nevada
(both Reno and Las Vegas campuses), Nevada Chamber of Commerce, American
Nuclear Society Symposium attendees, Utah, Texas, and Wyoming state
officials and foreign visitors from Germany, Nigeria, and Australia.
Details of the Animal Investigation Program were also presented to attendees
of the training session of the United States Department of Agriculture
Defense Board which was held in Reno, Nevada, on March 5 and 6, 1970.
On April 9, 1970, a paper^ ' summarizing the necropsy findings in the
desert bighorn sheep was presented to the 1970 Desert Bighorn Council
Meeting in Bishop, California.
"Big Sam," a fistulated steer, was exhibited on-the grounds of the Dallas
Health and Science Museum during the State Fair of Texas, October 10-25,
1970. He was visited by approximately 30,000 people and viewed by an
estimated 150,000 others. Approximately 15,000 brochures and fact sheets
(see Appendix IV) were distributed to interested visitors.
Representatives from the press were briefed on the Animal Investigation
Program activities on several occasions. Articles that featured or
mentioned these activities appeared in the St. Louis Dispatch, Las Vegas
Review Journal, Las Vegas Sun, and the Los Angeles Times.
31
-------
INVESTIGATIONS AND CLAIMS
No formal livestock radiation damage claims were received during 1970. An
investigation was made of one incident of possible damage. The findings of
this investigation eliminated radiation as a causative agent.
Hot Creek Ranch Investigation
In the early spring of 1970, cattle from the Hot Creek Ranch (both at the
home ranch and at the Wine Cup Ranch in Wells, Nevada) were reported to have
hairless areas which the owner suspected was caused by radiation. Some of
the affected animals were examined on February 26, 1970.
The owner provided the following history. Approximately 30% of both herds
were affected. The number of animals involved was 200 ± 50 at the Hot Creek
Ranch and 300 ± 50 at the Wine Cup Ranch. The condition first appeared three
or four months before the investigation and gradually progressed until a few
animals had lost one-third of their body hair. The condition affected all
ages, but was especially prevalent in the four-to eight-year-old cows.
The three animals examined had irregularly shaped, hairless patches scattered
over the body with most of the lesions located on the lateral side of the neck.
The patches ranged in size from 0.5 by 1 inch to 2 inches by 8 inches. There
was no discoloration or loss of pigment in the hair. The denuded skin appeared
normal with occasional increased scaling. Some of the denuded areas were sun-
burned and showed signs of trauma that might be associated with scraping or
rubbing. All animals were in good flesh.
Skin scrapings, hair samples, and blood samples were collected from each
animal. Sucking lice (Linognathus vituli] were noted on two of the animals. A
skin biopsy was taken from the most extensive lesion. The lesions were docu-
mented by photographs.
32
-------
The lateral location, large size, and irregular shape of these lesions, plus
the lack of depigmentation refuted beta particles as an etiological agent.
Skin scrapings were negative for mange mites. Complete blood cell counts
were within normal limits.
The histopathologic report of the skin biopsy stated that: "Morphologic
characteristics are not compatible with those expected in beta burns of three
or four months duration. Etiology of the alopecia described is not apparent
in the sections."
Triahophyton (an etiological agent of ringworm), rbodotorula and rhizopus,
species of fungus were isolated and identified on mycology cultures of hair
samples prepared by the Nevada Animal Disease Laboratory, Reno, Nevada.
Both ringworm and lice (because of feeding habits) cause pruritus that the
animals relieve by rubbing, hence the loss of body hair. The location of
lesions and history supported the diagnosis of mycosis and pediculosis.
33
-------
REFERENCES
1. Fountain, E. L. Off-Site Investigation Project. Fourth Annual Report
Nevada Operations Office, U. S. Atomic Energy Commission. Las Vegas,
Nevada. (1961)
2. Smith, D. D. Management History of the AEC Beef Herd 1 June 1964 -
1 June 1969. SWRHL-80. Southwestern Radiological Health Laboratory.
Las Vegas, Nevada. (March 1970)
3. Brown, K. W. and B. J. Mason. Range Survey, Area 18, Nevada Test Site.
SWRHL-52r. Southwestern Radiological Health Laboratory. Las Vegas,
Nevada. (December 1968)
4. Leavitt, V. D. Soil Survey, Area 18 Range. SWRHL-74r. Southwestern
Radiological Health Laboratory. Las Vegas, Nevada. (July 1970)
5. Talvitie, N. A. Radipchemical Determination of Plutonium in Environ- ,
mental and Biological Samples by Ion Exchange." Western Environmental
Research Laboratory, Las Vegas, NV. Publ. Anal. Chem. 43, 1827-1830
(November 1971).
6. Johns, F. B. Handbook of Radiochemical Analytical Methods. SWRHL-llr.
Southwestern Radiological Health Laboratory, Las Vegas, Nevada.
(February 1970)
7. Smith, D. D. and K. R. Giles. Animal Investigation Program 1969 Annual
Report. SWRHL-102r. Southwestern Radiological Health Laboratory.
Las Vegas, Nevada. (August 1970)
8. Maximum Permissible Body Burdens and Maximum Permissible Concentrations
of Radionuclides in Air and in Water for Occupational Exposure.
National Bureau of Standards Handbook 69. U. S. Government Printing
Office, Washington, DC. (June 1959)
9. Report of Committee IV on Evaluation of Radiation Doses to Body
Tissues from Internal Contamination Due to Occupational Exposure.
Recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological
Protection. ICRP Publ. 10. Pergamon Press, London. (1960)
10. Final Report of Off-Site Surveillance for Project Schooner. PNE-524.
Environmental Surveillance Program, Western Environmental Research
Laboratory, Las Vegas, Nevada (December 1969)
11. Lesperance, A. L., V. R. Bohman, and D. W. Marble. Development of
Techniques for Evaluating Grazing Forage. J. Dairy Sci. 43, 682
(1960)
12. Leach, H. R. Food Habits of the Great Basin Deer Herds of California.
California Fish and Game. Vol. 42, No. 4. (October 1956)
34
-------
13. Project Rulison. A Government-Industry Natural Gas Production
Stimulation Experiment Using a Nuclear Explosive. Project Rulison
Joint Office of Information. NVP-2. (May 1969)
14. Project Rulison Post-Shot Plans and Evaluations. NVO-61. U. S.
Atomic Energy Commission. Nevada Operations Office, Las Vegas,
Nevada. (December 1969)
15. Helvie, J. B. and D. D. Smith. Summary of Necropsy Findings in
Desert Bighorn Sheep. Desert Bighorn Council 1970" Transactions.
Las Vegas, Nevada. (April 1970)
35
-------
LIST OF APPENDICES
APPENDIX Page
I. Gross and Microscopic Pathology Found 37
in Necropsied Animals
II. Minimum Detectable Activities by Gamma 46
Spectroscopy
III. Analytical Results of Biological 47
Samples Collected for Project Rulison
IV. Big Sam at the State Fair of Texas 53
36
-------
APPENDIX I. Gross and Microscopic Pathology* Found in Necropsied Animals
Bovine
BOV-l-NTS-70 No gross lesions observed
Histopathological Report:
No significant lesions.
BOV-2-NTS-70 No gross lesions observed.
Histopathological Report:
Sarcosporidiosis.
BOV-3-NTS-70 No gross lesions observed. Ovaries and uterus
were infantile characteristic of a "freemartin."
Histopathological Report:
No significant lesions.
BOV-4-NTS-70 No gross lesions observed. Free floating mass of
fibrin in peritoneal fluid.
Histopathological Report:
One section contains a mass composed of eosinophilic
granular and fibrillar material which resembles
fibrin.
BOV-5-NTS-70 Urinary bladder somewhat thickened.
Histopathological Report:
Kidney. There are a few mineralized tubules in the
renal medulla.
BOV-6-NTS-70 No gross lesions observed.
Histopathological Report:
Sarcosporidiosis.
BOV-7-NTS-70 Gross lesions seen were associated with asphixiation
as animal was accidently strangled while capturing.
No histopathology samples collected.
BOV-8-NTS-70 No gross lesions observed.
Histopathology Report:
Ovaries. Large follicles old corporalutea are seen.
The pleura is very thick in some areas.
37
-------
APPENDIX I. Gross and Microscopic Pathology* Found in Necropsied Animals
(cont'd)
Bovine
Heart. Twenty-one sarcocysts are seen.
Skeletal muscle. Occasional fibers are swollen and
pale green (artifact?)
Thyroid. The thyroglossal duct is seen.
Diagnosis: Normal.
BOV-9-NTS-70 Animal is 3-1/2 months pregnant. The lungs are
emphysematous from agonal struggling.
Histopathology Report:
Spleen. Numerous neutrophils are seen in perifoilicular
areas.
Lungs. Areas of hemorrhage (terminal) are seen.
Heart. A few foci of lymphocytes are seen in the myocardium.
Kidney. A few lymphocytic foci are seen. Several small foci
2y_. A
alcifi
of calcification are seen in the medulla.
Ovaries. Several large follicles are present. A large
corpus luteum is present on other ovary.
Diagnosis: Normal
BOV-10-NTS-70 Histopathology Report:
Lung. Some terminal areas of hemorrhage.
Spleen. Neutrophils are adjacent to follicles.
Liver. Liver cell nuclei along portal areas seem enlarged.
Heart. One sarcocyst is seen.
Kidney. A few lymphocytes are seen around two large
arteries.
Diagnosis: Normal.
BOV-ll-NTS-70 Aged cow. Uterus contained a 2-month-old fetus.
38
-------
APPENDIX I. Gross and Microscopic Pathology* Found in Necropsied Animals
cont'd
Bovine
Histopathological Report:
Lung. One lobe is hemorrhagic (due to manner of death)
Kidney. There are casts in some tubules, a few foci of
mononuclear cells are seen in the cortex, in these areas,
small vessels are thickened.
Adrenal. Sinusoids in cortex are congested.
Ovaries. A few large follicles are seen, but most of the
tissue is old corporalutea and stroma. A large corpus
luteum seen on other ovary.
Kidney. Similar to other, but more focal collections of
lymphocytes, capsules of some glomeruli are thickened,
interstitial fibrosis in some areas, occasional shrunken
sclerosed glomerulus.
Spleen. Diffuse hemosiderosis.
Lung. Areas of acute hemorrhage, one lymphoid nodule is
under bronchial epithelium.
Diagnosis: a) Normal, b) Mild chronic interstitial
nephritis.
Comment: Kidney lesions are mild and focal and seem to
be oriented around small arterioles.
BOV-12-NTS-70 No gross lessions observed.
Histopathological Report:
Heart. Several sarcocysts are seen, no other lesions.
Diagnosis: Normal
BOV-13-NTS-70 No gross lesions observed.
Histopathological Report:
Heart. Several sarcocysts are seen. There are also a few
focal areas of lymphoreticular cells within the myocardium.
Lung. Alveoli in some areas are dilated greatly with air,
probably terminal.
Spleen. No significant lesions. Lymphoid follicles are
normal.
39
-------
APPENDIX I. Gross and Microscopic Pathlogy* Found in Necropsied Animals
(cont'd)
Bovine
Kidney, a few arterioles seem hyalinized in the outer cortex
and a few inflammatory cells are adjacent to them.
Diagnosis: Normal.
Comment: No lesions are observed that could be attributed
to the effects of ionizing radiation.
AHU-44-NTS-70 Cow euthanized because of extreme respiratory distress.
Gross lesions included:
1. Subcutaneous emphysema of chest wall and esophagus
2. emphysemtous lungs
3. swollen epiglotiss
4. enlarged pulmonary lymph nodes with central
caseous necrosis
5. necrotic foci on tricuspid valve of heart
6. lymphoid infiltration of cardiac muscle
7. lymphoid infiltration behind right eye
8. cysts on kidneys
9. omentum is edematous and emphysematous
10. inflamed gall bladder
Thyroid. Seems toughened and gritty.
Diagnosis: Bovine lymphosarcoma with secondary emphysema
caused by restriction of air passage from lymphoid
infiltration of the epiglotiss.
Histopathological Examination: Morphologica .characteristics are
compatible with those of bovine lymphosarcoma. Accumulations of
usually mature lymphocytes form a monotonous pattern in many
locations including the heart and the retrobulbar mass in the
orbit. There are foci of interstitial nephritis. The renal
cysts are not remarkable. There is equivocal sclerosis of the
interfollicular tissue in the thyroid, but definitive changes
to account for the "gritty sensation" noted at necropsy are
not found. Fibrosis of interalveolar septa and moderate
hyperplasia of the media of arterial walls are in the lung.
Sarcosporidia are present. There may have been lenticular
degeneration in the left eye; however, the specimen is
inadequate for definitive determination.
AHU-903-NTS-70 Treated for clinical leptospirosis two weeks before death.
Gross lesions included:
1. Enlarged, dilated heart with ecchymotic hemorrhages
2. areas of myocardial degeneration
40
-------
APPENDIX I. Gross and Microscopic Pathology* Found in Necropsied Animals
(cont'd)
Bovine
3. lungs are distended and contain numerous encapsulated
abscesses which are 2 cm in diameter
4. left diaphragmatic lobe of lung contains an 8-10 cm
cavitation filled with decaying blood.
Diagnosis: Acute cardiac dilatation and failure, probably
as result of combination of high fever (108°F) associated
with previous illness, toxins produced by lung pathology
and the increased respiratory workload from impaired gaseous
transfer in the lungs (reduced viable tissue).
Histopathological Report:
Peribrochial active, subacute to chronic inflammation.
Active chronic pulmonary abscesses. There are numerous
immature and organized thrombi of which some of the
latter contain foci of active inflammation. The pre-
dominant microorganism is a gram positive coccobacillus.
Acid fast organisms are not found.
Focal subacute interstitial nephritis and nephrosis
with casts and degenerate epithelial cells in the
urinary tubules. Special stains for the presence
of spirochetes were negative.
There is moderate periportal fibrosis in the liver.
A bacterial colony is in a central vein.
AHU-36-NTS-70 Cow found dead with no history of illness.
Gross lesions included:
1. Rumen, omasum, abomasum and intestinal tract greatly
distended with gas
2. thoracic organs compressed into apex of chest cavity
3. froth and foam observed in rumen contents which consisted
of approximately 50 gallons of fresh alfalfa green chop.
Diagnosis: Tympanites.
No histopathology samples collected because of advanced
post mortem changes.
BOV-1-N16-70 Cow grazed Sand Spring Valley Range
Liver. Seemed fibrotic.
41
-------
APPENDIX I. Gross and Microscopic Pathology* Found in Necropsied Animals
(cont'd)
Bovine
Histopathological Report:
Sarcospridiosis
Splenic hemosiderosis
BOV-2-N16-70 Aged cow in extremely poor condition. Unable to rise.
Very lousy.
Gross lesions included:
1. Incisors worn away;
2. peritonitis with ascites;
3. abscess in left kidney;
4. serous atrophy of all fatty deposits;
5. emphysematous lungs.
Diagnosis: Animal suffering from advanced starvation
complicated by traumatic paricarditis
Histopathological Report:
Kidneys. Mostly normal, one lobule has mild interstitial
fibrosis, dilated tubules, some perivascular collections
of lymphocytes in association with some fibrosis.
Ovaries. Dense connective tissues, vessels only, few ova,
one large follicle, two old hyalinized C.L.S.
Lung. Alveolar emphysema, bronchioles are constricted,
fibrous thickening of pleura.
Adrenal. Foci of lymphocytes are seen at cortico-
medullary junction.
Spleen. Some focal fibrosis is seen on capsule, marked
hemosiderosis.
Liver. A foci of liver cell necrosis with neutrophils
are seen, some foci of lymphocytes are seen.
Heart. No visible lesions. Numerous bacteria appear on
surface of fat adjacent to heart.
Adrenal. Melanin in capsule, and in z. glomerulosa.
Diagnosis:
1. Traumatic pericarditis and reticuloperitonitis;
42
-------
APPENDIX I. Gross and Microscopic Pathology* Found in Necropsied Animals
(cont'd)
Bovine
Mule Deer
2. renal abscess;
3. serous atrophy of fat;
4. chronic interstitial nephritis (mild);
5. focal hepatic necrosis (mild);
Comment: The first three diagnoses are made from gross
findings. Bacteria found on pleura! and peritoneal surfaces
may be post mortem invaders. There is no inflammatory
reaction to them.
MD-l-NTS-70 No gross lesions observed.
Histopathological Report:
No significant lesions.
MD-2-NTS-70 No gross lesions observed.
Histopathological Report:
Sarcosporidiosis
Mild, focal interstitial nephritis
MD-3-NTS-70 No gross lesions observed.
Histopathological Report:
Results not received.
MD-4-NTS-70 Trauma associated with vehicular collision.
Histological samples not collected as there are advanced
post mortem changes.
MD-5-NTS-70 No autopsy performed as carcass nearly destroyed by
force of vehicular collision and by scavengers. Histological
samples not collected as there are advanced post mortem changes,
MD-l-Lin Co-70 Trauma of femur, spleen, liver and lungs from vehicular
collision.
Histopathological Report:
Kidney. There are areas of congestion, a lymphoid nodule
is seen alongside a vessel, two lymphocytic foci in medulla.
Testes. Autolytic, no visible lesions.
43
-------
APPENDIX I. Gross and Microscopic Pathology* Found in Necropsied Animals
(cont'd)
Mule Deer
Kidney. Several focal areas of interstitial chronic
inflammation.
Lung. Pleura is thickened and bluish in some areas. Some
smooth muscle in alveolar tips is bluish in color.
Thyroid. Follicles are very large.
Diagnosis:
1. Normal
2. Mild chronic focal pleuritis
Desert Bighorn
Sheep
DB-l-BGR-70 Two-month-old lamb that died at Corn Creek Station/
Desert National Wildlife Range.
Gross lesions included:
1. Pleural adhesions;
2. all lobes of lungs contain numerous small
abscesses (0.2-0.5 cm in diameter);
3. phytobezor in rumen;
4. ecchymotic hemorrhages on border of spleen.
Diagnosis: Diffuse bacterial pneumonia
Histopathological Report:
Liver, no lesions are seen.
Spleen. There is atrophy of the lymphoid follicles.
Kidney, no lesions.
Spleen, atrophy of follicles.
Lung. There is atelectasis, filling of alveoli with fluid,
neutrophils and macrophages. Alveolar walls appeared lined
by hyperplastic cells in some areas. Perivacular cuffs are
also noted. Airways are plugged with cells, debris and
fluid.
Diagnosis: Pneumonia.
44
-------
APPENDIX I. Gross and Microscopic Pathology* Found in Necropsied Animals
(cont'd)
DB-2-DGR-70 Two-year-old ram maintained at Corn Creek Station/Desert
National Wildlife Range. Compound fracture of metatarsus.
Died from shock from the trauma and anesthetic associated
with fracture repair.
Histopathology samples not collected as there were advanced
post mortem changes.
DB-3-DGR-70 Sixteen-year-old ewe, spent entire life in pens at Corn
Creek Station/Desert National Wildlife Range.
Gross lesions noted included:
1. Tapeworm in bile duct,
2. ecchymotic hemorrhage on edges of spleen,
3. contusions of hips and pelvis.
Diagnosis: Geriatric complications
Histopathological Report:
Lung. There are areas of congested vessels and peri vascular
edema. A few possible areas of emphysema are observed.
Liver. No lesions are seen.
Ovary. Only one follicle is noted. Stroma is prominent.
Adrenal. Congested.
Kidney. Areas of interstitial inflammation and fibrosis are
seen. The kidneys are congested. There is brown pigment in
some tubule cells. Hyaline and hemoglobin casts are seen in
some tubules.
Heart. One sarcocyst is observed.
Spleen. Nodules on surface contain hemosiderin, and brown
pigment. A large area of hemorrhage is observed on the surface.
Diagnosis: Lower nephron nephrosis (hemoglobinurio).
*As reported by Dr. James N. Shively and Dr. Jerrold M. Ward, Division of
Biological Effects, Bureau of Radiological Health, 12720 Twinbrook Parkway,
Rockville, Maryland 20852.
45
-------
APPENDIX II. Minimum Detectable Activities for Radionuclide Analyses.
Technical Support Laboratory, National Environmental
Research Center, Las Vegas, Nevada.
The minimum detectable activities (MDA's) in terms of total activity per
sample for standard geometries and counting times are based on a combination
of a number of technical experiments and operational experience. By
means of experimentation the MDA has been defined as that activity which
produced a ±100% deviation at the 95% confidence level. These values
are applicable to ideal conditions and simple complexes of nuclides.
Complex spectra and spectra showing naturally occurring radionuclides
can raise the MDA's considerably.
Minimum Detectable Activities in pCi for Total Sample
10
Isotope
181W
144Ce
131j
106Ru
65Zn
137Cs
95Zr
54Mn
140Ba
K
239Pu
3H
90Sr
89Sr
Min. Count 40 Min. Count
Planchet Planchet 400 ml
500 250 400
50 25 40
500 250 400
500 250 400
50 25 40
50 25 40
50 25 40
50 25 40
0.5 0.3 0.4
0.01 pCi per gram of ash
0.4 pCi per ml of H20
2 pCi total sample of ash
5 pCi total sample of ash
3.5 liter
350
35
350
350
35
35
35
35
0.4
400 ml
300
250
25
250
250
25
25
25
25
0.3
100 Min. Count
1000 ml Marinelli
300
250
25
250
250
25
25
25
25
0.3
grams of potassium.
46
-------
APPENDIX III.
Analytical Results of Biological Samples Collected for
Project Rulison
Sample
Description
Col
Date
lected
pCi/g
of
ash
90Sr
3H
pCi/ml f
^2°
Remarks
Mule deer
Muscle
Hock bone
8/16/69
NA NA 0.8 ±0.7
10.0 ± 4.6 6.0 ± 1.5 NA
Mule deer
Muscle
Hock bone
8/17/69
NA NA 0.8 ± 0.7
5.4 ± 4.0 5.7 ± 1.3 NA
Mule deer
Muscle
Hock bone
8/19/69
NA NA 0.9 ± 0.7
3.4 ± 4.0 6.4 ±1.3 NA
Mule deer
Muscle
Hock bone
8/27/69
NA NA 1.0 ± 0.7
6.9 ± 3.1 3.8 ± 1.2 NA
One-year-old male. A
hunter kill in High-
tower area of Dike Creek.
Gamma spectra indicated
that radionuclide con-
centrations in the
muscle and thyroid were
less than the minimum
detectable activities.
Two-year-old male. A
hunter kill from Uncom-
pahgre Plateau, west of
Delta, Colorado. Gamma
spectra indicated that
radionuclide concentra-
tions in the muscle and
thyroid were less than
the minimum detectable
activities.
Five-year-old male. A
hunter kill at Hubbard
Creek, Colorado. Gamma
spectra indicated that
radionuclide concentra-
tions in the muscle and
thyroid were less than
the minimum detectable
activities.
Female fawn. Road kill,
3 miles south of Mesa,
Colorado, Highway 65.
Gamma spectra indicated
that radionuclide con-
centrations in the abo-
masum contents, abomasum
tissue, liver, lungs,
muscle, thyroid, and rumen
contents were less than
the minimum detectable
activities.
47
-------
APPENDIX III. Analytical Results of Biological Samples Collected for
Project Rulisonjfcont'd)
Sample Date
Description Collected
pCi/g of ash 3H
89Sr 90Sr pCi/ml
Remarks
Mule deer
Muscle
Hock bone
8/29/69
NA NA <0.4
3.7 ± 3.5 7.7 ± 1.4 NA
Bovine 9/2/69
Thyroid
Bovine 9/2/69
Thyroid
Bovine 9/2/69
Thyroid
Bovine 9/2/69
Thyroi d
Bovine 9/2/69
Thyroi d
Bovine 3/19/70
Muscle
NA
NA 0.8 ± 0.7
NA
NA 1.9 ± 1.0
NA
NA 0.9 ± 0.7
NA
NA 1.0 ± 0.7
NA
NA 0.8 ± 0.7
NA
NA 1.2 ± 0.4
Four-year-old male. A
hunter kill, 21 miles
south of Carbondale,
Colorado, Highway 133.
Gamma spectra indicated
that radionuclide con-
centrations in the muscle
and thyroid were less
than the minimum detect-
able activities.
Yearling steer from
Gregg Coffman Ranch,
Carbondale, Colorado.
No detectable gamma
emitters.
Yearling steer from
Gary Aldridge ranch,
Silt, Colorado.
No detectable gamma
emitters.
Yearling steer from
Connie Carpenter,
Debeque, Colorado.
No detectable gamma
emi tters.
Yearling steer from
Don Mackey, Debeque,
Colorado. No detectable
gamma emitters.
Yearling steer from
Doug McDonald, Rifle,
Colorado. No detectable
gamma emitters.
Two-year-old bull from
Mrs. John Savage, Graham
Mesa, Rifle, Colorado.
No detectable gamma
emi tters.
48
-------
APPENDIX III.
Analytical Results of Biological Samples Collected for
Project Rulison (cont'd)
Sample
Description
Bovine
Kidney
Date
Collected
3/27/70
pCi/g of ash 3H
89Sr 90Sr pCi/ml H20 Remarks
One and one-half-year-
old cow, 1 mile south
NA NA 0.9 ± 0.3 of Plateau City, Colorado
No detectable gamma
emitters.
Bovine
Kidney
Mule deer
Muscle
Hock bone
Bovine
Kidney
Bovine
Ki dney
Bovine
Ki dney
Trout
Whole Body
4/1/70
NA
4/3/70
NA
<2.5
4/6/70
NA
4/6/70
NA
4/6/70
NA
4/26/70
NA
NA 1.1 ± 0.4
NA 0.6 ± 0.3
1 NA
NA 0.8 ± 0.3
NA 1.1 ± 0.3
NA 0.8 ± 0.3
NA 0.7 ± 0.3
One-year-old steer from
Alkali Creek, 5 miles
southeast of New Castle,
Colorado. No detectable
gamma emitters.
Four-year-old doe. Road
kill, 1 mile west of
Rifle, Colorado. Gamma
spectra indicated that
radionuclide concentra-
tions in liver, thyroid,
rumen contents, and
muscle were less than
the minimum detectable
activities.
Aged bovine collected
from Garfield County,
Colorado. Tag No. 1103.
No detectable gamma
emitters.
Aged bovine collected
from Garfield County,
Colorado. Tag No. 1178.
No detectable gamma
emitters.
Aged bovine collected
from Garfield County,
Colorado. Tag No. 1176
No detectable gamma
emitters.
Collected from Battlement
Creek near Central Point,
Colorado. No detectable
gamma emitters.
49
-------
APPENDIX III. Analytical Results of Biological Samples Collected for
Project Rulison (cont'd)
Sample
Description
Col
Date
lected
pCi/g
89Sr
of
ash
90Sr
3H
pCi/ml H20
Remarks
Trout 5/28/70
Whole body
Chicken
Eggs
7/11/70
Trout 7/22/70
Whole body
Chicken
Eggs
Bovine
Blood
7/21/70
Chicken 7/23/70
Muscle
8/17/70
Bovine 8/17/70
Blood
Bovine 8/17/70
Blood
Porcine 10/14/70
Kidney
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA 1.1 ± 0.3
NA 0.7 ± 0.3
NA 1.4 ± 0.3
NA 1.8 ± 0.4
NA 1.5 ± 0.3
NA 1.7 ± 0.4
NA 1.0 ± 0.3
NA 1.3 ± 0.3
NA 0.4 ± 0.3
Collected from Battlement
Creek near Central Point,
Colorado. No detectable
gamma emitters.
Eggs collected from
Dan Moore Ranch, Grand
Valley, Colorado. No
detectable gamma emitters.
Collected from Battlement
Creek, between Central
Point and Grand Zero Pad,
Colorado. No detectable
gamma emitters.
Eggs collected from Tate
Weir Ranch, Grand Valley,
Colorado. No detectable
gamma emitters.
Collected from Don Moore
Ranch, Grand Valley,
Colorado. No detectable
gamma emitters.
Blood drawn from five-
month-old calf from
A. L. Mclain Ranch, Grand
Valley, Colorado. No
detectable gamma emitters.
Blood drawn from six-
year-old Jersey cow from
Donald Burtard, Rulison,
Colorado. No detectable
gamma emitters.
Blood drawn from five-
month-old lamb from
Donald Burtard, Rulison,
Colorado. No detectable
gamma emitters.
One-year-old Hampshire
hog from H. W. Arnett Ranch,
Grand Valley, Colorado, one
mile west of Rulison. No
detectable gamma emitters.
50
-------
APPENDIX III.
Analytical Results of Biological Samples Collected for
Project Rulison (cont'd)
Sample
Description
Date
Collected
pCi/g of ash
3H
90Sr pCi/ml
Remarks
Bovine
Kidney
Elk
10/27/70
11/2/70
NA
Muscle
NA
NA 0.6 ± 0.3
NA 0.8 ± 0.3
Mule deer
Kidney
Mule deer
Kidney
Mule deer
Kidney
Ovine
Blood
Bovine
Blood
11/6/70
NA
NA 0.7 ± 0.3
Tl/6/70
NA
NA 0.9 ± 0.3
11/6/70
NA
NA 0.6 ± 0.3
Elk
11/6/70
11/6/70
11/6/70
NA
NA 1.2 ± 0.3
NA
NA 1.2 ± 0.3
Muscle
NA
NA 0.9 ± 0.3
Two-year-old cow collected
one mile north of Rifle,
Colorado. No detectable
gamma emitters.
Two-year-old cow elk. A
hunter kill from the Vega
area. Gamma emitting
radionuclides were within
background levels of
activity.
Hunter kill in Grand Mesa
area. Samples collected by
Colbran Locker Plant. No
information as to age. Sex
assumed to be male. No
detectable gamma emitters.
Hunter kill in Grand Mesa
area. Samples collected by
Colbran Locker Plant. No
information as to age. Sex
assumed to be male. No
detectable gamma emitters.
Hunter kill in Grand Mesa
area. Sampled collected by
Colbran Locker Plant. No
information as to age. Sex
assumed to be male. No
detectable gamma emitters.
Blood drawn from 5-6-year-old
ewe from Dan Duplice Ranch,
Grand Valley, Colorado. No
detectable gamma emitters.
Blood drawn from 9-year-old
cow from Don Burtard Ranch,
Rulison, Colorado. No
detectable gamma emitters.
Two-year-old cow elk. A
hunter kill from Battlement
Mesa. Gamma emitting
radionuclides were within
background levels of
activity.
51
-------
APPENDIX III. Analytical Results of Biological Samples Collected for
Project Rulispn (cont'd)
Sample Date
Description Collected
pCi/g of ash 3H
89Sr 90Sr pCi/ml
Remarks
Bovine
Blood
Ovine
Blood
12/21/70
NA
NA 0.4 ± 0.3
12/21/70
NA
NA <0.4
Blood drawn from six-year-
old Jersey cow from Don
Burtard Ranch, Rulison,
Colorado. No detectable
gamma emitters.
Blood drawn from four-year-
old ewe from Don Burtard
Ranch, Rulison, Colorado.
No detectable gamma emitters.
52
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APPENDIX IV
October 10-26,1970
BIG SAM AT THE STATE FAIR OF TEXAS
Big Sam, a fistulated steer from the herd of more than
70 Hereford beef cattle the U.S. Public Health Service main-
tains on the Atomic, Energy Commission's nuclear test site in'
Nevada, is a featured exhibit at the State Fair of Texas be-
ing held in Dallas, October 10-25. 1970. The Public Health
Service's Southwestern Radiological Health Laboratory ami the
A EC's Nevada Operation* Office- 1n Las Vegas brought Big Sam
to Texas under sponsorship of the Dallas Health & Science
Museum. The steer is displayed in his own special pen on
the Museum lawn.
In a suitably deep voice, Sam tells his own story of the
life he leads on the 1350 -square mile test site in Nevada.
"My place is right smack in the middle of the AEC's nuclear
test area. A Texas-sized spread I call it," Sam says.
When Sam was a yearling, he underwent surgery to have a
fistula (hole) into his rumen (forestomach) with a canula
(plugged entrance to the hole) installed in his left side.
"I've had it nearly all my life," says Sam, "and it doesn't
hurt a bit." He and four similarly fitted corral mates then
joined the herd of beef cattle that grazes the Nevada Test
Site where, from 1951 to the end of last year, some 375
nuclear explosive tests were conducted.
Sam and the other fistulated steers had a special job to
do for a research project being done jointly by the Univer-
sity of Nevada, which owned the steers, and the U.S. Public
Health Service, which has been managing the AEC's beef herd
since 1954. The fistulated steers were to serve as biologi-
cal samplers of the forage grazed by the herd as it ranges
over the desert test site.
Once a month, a sample of the rumen contents is removed
from Sam or one of his fistulated corral mates. The Radio-
logical Research Program at the Public Health Service's
Southwestern Radiological Health Laboratory (SWRHL) analyzes
the samples for radioactivity and botanical species represen-
ted. The University of Nevada then relates the nutritional
composition of the diet to the actual plant species ingested.
Also, the chemical and radiochemical composition of the
animals'diet is determined and changes in composition of the
diet are studied with relation to season, year-to-year vari-
ation, and nuclear testing events.
The beef herd has lived on the Nevada Test Site for 13
years. Twice 4 year, animals from the herd are slaughtered
by SMWL veterinarians, and a large number of tissue and
organ saaples are taken. These are analyzed for radionuclide
content at the SHRHL, and samples are sent to the Armed
Forces Institute of Pathology for complete microscopic exam-
ination.
In all these years, no pathology related to radiation
exposure has been observed. The radiation levels in the tis-
sues are well below allowable levels, and the meat would be
quite safe for consumption. The herd had a 96% calf drop for
the last 3 consecutive years a production statistic that
few herds could beat.
The AEC also has an experimental dairy farm on the Neva-
da Test Site developed and managed by the Southwestern Radi-
i
ological Health Laboratory as a field research facility for
studying the transport of radionuclides through man's envi-
ronment to man. In different studies, cows or growing crops
are exposed to aerosol sprays of radionuclides, or cows are
fed capsules containing radionuclides. Radionuclide concen-
tration in the forage, the milk, in certain organs, and in
the excreta is measured. The data are studied to leam the
influence of particle size, type of forage, feeding practi-
ces, and other parameters. The information is used to devel-
op models by which to predict exposure to man, and to evalu-
ate the effectiveness of various protective actions which
may be taken to reduce the amounts of radionuclides getting
into food material sounder different contaminating situations.
Besides managing the beef herd and dairy farm, the SWRHL
wildlife biologists and veterinarians collect samples from
several wild species living in or near the test site as bio-
logical indicators of fallout. The SWRHL cooperates with
state and federal conservation agencies in surveillance of
bighorn sheep, mule deer, and other native species.
From these and other continuing and cooperative programs
conducted over a period of many years, the Atomic Energy
Commission and the Public Health Service gain a better un-
derstanding of the complex behavior of radioactive material
in the environment and its effect on living things.
Southwestern Radiological Health Laboratory
Bureau of Radiological Health
Public Health Service, USDHEW
P. O. Box 15027 - Las Vegas, Nevada 89114
53
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DISTRIBUTION
1 - 20 National Environmental Research Center, Las Vegas, NV
21 Mahlon E. Gates, Manager, NV/AEC, Las Vegas, NV
22 Robert H. Thalgott, NV/AEC, Las Vegas, NV
23 Bennie G. DiBona, NV/AEC, Las Vegas, NV
24 David G. Jackson, NV/AEC, Las Vegas, NV
25 Arthur J. Whitman, NV/AEC, Las Vegas, NV
26 Elwood M. Douthett, NV/AEC, Las Vegas, NV
27 Paul B. Dunaway, NV/AEC, Las Vegas, NV
28 - 32 Ernest D. Campbell, NV/AEC, Las Vegas, NV
33 - 34 Technical Library, NV/AEC, Las Vegas, NV
35 Chief, NOB/DNA, NV/AEC, Las Vegas, NV
36 Robert J. Cat!in, Office of Environmental Affairs, USAEC, Washington, DC
37 Martin B. Biles, DOS, USAEC, Washington, DC
38 Tommy F. McCraw, DOS, USAEC, Washington, DC
39 Assistant General Manager, DMA, USAEC, Washington, DC
40 Gordon C. Facer, DMA, USAEC, Washington, DC
41 James L. Liverman, DBER, AEC, Washington, DC
42 John S. Kirby-Smith, DBER, AEC, Washington, DC
43 L. Joe Deal, DOS, USAEC, Washington, DC
44 Charles L. Osterberg, DBER, AEC, Washington, DC
45 Rudolf J. Engelmann, DBER, AEC, Washington, DC
46 Harold F. Mueller, ARL/NOAA, Las Vegas, NV
47 Gilbert J. Ferber, ARL NOAA, Silver Spring, MD
48 Stanley M. Greenfield, Assistant Administrator for Research
and Monitoring, EPA, Washington, DC
49 William D. Rowe, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Radiation
Programs, EPA, Washington, DC
50 Dr. William A. Mills, Dir., Div. of Criteria & Standards, ORP,
EPA, Washington, DC
51 _ 52 Charles L. Weaver, Dir., Field Operations Div., ORP,
EPA, Washington, DC
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DISTRIBUTION (Continued)
53 Ernest D. Harward, Act. Dir., Div. of Technology Assessment,
ORP, EPA, Washington, DC
54 Gordon Everett, Dir., Office of Technical Analysis,
EPA, Washington, DC
55 Library, EPA, Washington, DC
56 Bernd Kahn, Chief, Radiochemistry & Nuclear Engineering,
EPA, NERC-Cincinnati, OH
57 Kurt L. Feldmann, Managing Editor, Radiation Data & Reports,
ORP, EPA, Washington, DC
58 Dr. J. Frances Allen, ORM, EPA, Arlington, VA
59 Regional Admin., Region IX, EPA, San Francisco, CA
60 Regional Radiation Representative, Region IX, EPA, San Francisco, CA
61 Eastern Environmental Radiation Facility, EPA, Montgomery, AL
62 K. M. Oswald, Mgr., Health & Safety, ILL, Mercury, NV
63 Mortimer L. Mendelsohn, ILL, Livermore, CA
64 James E. Carothers, ILL, Livermore, CA
65 Howard W. Tewes, LLL, Livermore, CA
66 Lawrence S. Germain, LLL, Livermore, CA
67 Paul L. Phelps, LLL, Livermore, CA
68 Charles I. Browne, LASL, Los Alamos, NM
69 George E. Tucker, Sandia Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM
70 Harry S. Jordan, LASL, Los Alamos, NM
71 Arden E. Bicker, REECo, Mercury, NV
72 Savino W. Cavender, REECo, Mercury, NV
73 Carter D. Broyles, Sandia Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM
74 Melvin L. Merritt, Sandia Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM
75 Richard S. Davidson, Battelle Memorial Institute, Columbus, OH
76 Verle Q. Hale, Battelle Memorial Institute, Las Vegas, NV
77 Steven V. Kaye, Oak Ridge National Lab., Oak Ridge, TN
78 Leo K. Bustad, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State
University, Pullman, WA
79 Leonard A. Sagan, Palo Alto Medical Clinic, Palo Alto, CA
80 Vincent Schultz, Washington State University, Pullman, WA
81 Arthur Wallace, University of California, Los Angeles, CA
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DISTRIBUTION (Continued)
82 Wesley E. Niles, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV
83 Robert C. Pendleton, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
84 William S. Twenhofel, U. S. Geological Survey, Denver, CO
85 Paul R. Fenski, Desert Research Institute, University of
Nevada, Reno, NV
86 John M. Ward, President, Desert Research Institute, University
of Nevada, Reno, NV
87 - 88 Technical Information Center, USAEC, Oak Ridge, TN
(for public availability)
89 Thomas 0. Fleming, NV/AEC, Las Vegas, NV
90 Roger Ray, NV/AEC, Las Vegas, NV
91 William R. Cooper, NV/AEC, Las Vegas, NV
92 Bernard W. Menke, NV/AEC, Las Vegas, NV
93 Edward H. Fleming, DAT, AEC, Washington, DC
94 Arthur Wallace, University of California, Los Angeles, CA
95 Verl R. Bohman, University of Nevada, Reno, NV
96 Manager, Desert National Wildlife Range, U. S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, Las Vegas, NV
97 Supervisor, Region III, Nevada Fish and Game Department,
Las Vegas, NV
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