U. S. PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
          SOUTHWESTERN RADIOLOGICAL HEALTH LABORATORY
                    ELECTRONICS SECTION
FEB 101965
                                                SWRHL-15r
   FINAL REPORT OF OFF-SITE SURVEILLANCE
                     FOR THE
              KIWI B4E EXPERIMENT


                       by the
    South-western Radiological  Health Laboratory
             U.  S. Public Health Service
    Department  of Health, Education, and Welfare
                 Las Vegas,  Nevada
                  January 25, 1965
This surveillance performed under a Memorandum of
           Understanding (No. SF 54 373)
                       for the
       U. S. ATOMIC ENERGY  COMMISSION

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                           LEGAL NOTICE

This report was prepared as an account of Government sponsored work.
Neither the United States, nor the Atomic Energy Commission, nor any
person acting on behalf of the Commission:

A.  Makes any warranty or representation, expressed or implied, with
respect to the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of the information
contained in this report,  or that the use of any information,  apparatus,
method,  or process disclosed in this report may not infringe privately
owned rights; or

B.  Assumes any  liabilities with respect to the use of,  or for damages
resulting from the use of any information, apparatus, method,  or  pro-
cess disclosed in this report.

As  used in the above,   "person acting  on behalf of  the  Commission"
includes any employee or contractor  of  the Commission,  or employee
of such contractor,  to the extent that  such employee or contractor  of
the Commission,  or employee of such contractor prepares,  dissemin-
ates,  or provides access to,  any information pursuant to his  employ-
ment  or contract  with the Commission,  or his employment with such
contractor.
     8

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                                            SWRHL-15r
FINAL REPORT OF OFF-SITE SURVEILLANCE
                    FOR THE
           KIWI B4E EXPERIMENT
                    by the
  Southwestern Radiological Health Laboratory
          U. S. Public  Health Service
 Department of Health,  Education,  and Welfare
              Las Vegas, Nevada
               January 25,  1965

        Copy No. 8

        R.  W. Coulter
        Chief,  Electronics
        SWRHL
        Las Vegas, Nevada
  This surveillance performed under a Memorandum of
        Understanding (No. SF  54 373)
                   for the
     U.  S. ATOMIC ENERGY  COMMISSION

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                           ABSTRACT




The  Public  Health Service provided off-site surveillance  for the



KIWI B4E full power reactor run conducted on August 28, 1964, and



for a restart of the reactor on September  10,  1964.  Small amounts



of radioactive  material were  detected off site following both tests;



however,  in no instance did exposures exceed the radiological safety



guides set forth in the AEC Manual, Chapter 0524.

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                      TABLE OF CONTENTS






ABSTRACT                                                          i



TABLE OF CONTENTS                                             ii



LIST OF FIGURES                                                 iii



LIST OF TABLES                                                  iii



INTRODUCTION                                                     1



Section 1.   KIWI B4E EPV, August 28,  1964                          2



            I.  OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES                        2



                A.  External Measurements                          2



                B.  Environmental Measurements                     3



           II.  RESULTS                                             8



                A.  Ground Monitoring Data                          8



                B.  Dose Rate Recorder Data                         8



                C.  Film Badge Data                                 8



                D.  Air Sample  Data                                  9



                E.  Milk Sample Data                              10



                F.  Water  Sample Data                             10



          III.  CONCLUSIONS                                      16



Section 2.  KIWI B4E EPVI, September 10, 1964                    17



            I.  OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES                      17



           II.  RESULTS                                           18



                A.  Ground Monitoring Data                        18



                B.  Dose Rate Recorder Data                       18



                C.  Film Badge Data                               18



                D.  Air Sample  Data                                18



                E.  Milk and Vegetation Data                       20



          III.  CONCLUSIONS                                      22



DISTRIBUTION



                                 ii

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                        LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1.   Air sampler and dose rate recorder locations.

Figure 2.   Environmental sampling locations.
4

6
                         LIST OF TABLES
Table 1.    Dose rate measurements off the test range complex on
            August 28, 1964.                                          8

Table 2.    Meteorological data for EPV.                             9
Table 3.    Analyses of air samples collected following the
            KIWI B4E EPV Experiment.                              10

Table 4.    Milk and vegetation sample analyses for EPV            11

Table 5.    Analyses of air samples collected following the
            KIWI B4E EPVI Experiment.                             19

Table 6.    Meteorological data for EPVI.                            20

Table 7.    Milk and vegetation analyses for EPVI.                   21
                                111

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                         INTRODUCTION






On  August 28 and  September  10,  1964 the  KIWI  B4E  reactor was



tested at  Test Cell C,  located at the Nuclear  Rocket Development



Station, Jackass  Flats,  Nevada.  Each test was conducted at design



power and the reactor was  operated in an upright position  so that



the hydrogen coolant exhausted upward along with escaping fission



products.   Each  test will  be covered in  a separate section  of this



report.






Under a Memorandum of Understanding with the  Atomic Energy



Commission (AEC), the U. S.  Public Health Service (PHS) conducts



a program  of radiological monitoring and  environmental sampling



in the off-site area surrounding  the Nevada Test Site and the Nellis



Air Force Range.  The overall complex of the Nevada Test Site(NTS)



and  the Nellis Air Force Range (NAFR) includes the Nuclear Rocket



Development Station (NRDS) and the Tonopah Test  Range (TTR) and



for simplicity will be  called the test range complex throughout this



report.






Since Public Health Service monitors must begin tracking and moni-



toring an  effluent cloud close  to  its point of origin, measurements



are also made within the test range  complex, but are used only as a



guide to trajectory determination or  for purposes of checking instru-



mentation and methodology.   They did not serve  as  parameters  in



determining dose to people or contamination of property in the off-site



area during the KIWI B4E tests and are not a subject of this report.

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            Section 1.  KIWI B4E EPV, AUGUST 28, 1964






                  I.  OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES






On August 28,  the  KIWI B4E reactor was tested  under the conditions



known as Experimental Plan V  (EPV).  The reactor was operated at



design power from 1239 to 1247 hours PDT.






A.  External Measurements



    Ground Monitoring



    Thirteen ground monitors tracked the reactor  effluent passage with



    portable instruments.  Each monitor was equipped with anEberline



    E-500B,  a Precision  Model 111  Standard "Scintillator",  and a



    Victoreen Radector Model No. AGB-50B-SR.






    The Eberline  E-500Bhasa  range of  0 to  200 milliroentgens



    per hour (mr/hr)  gamma and beta-gamma  detection in four scales



    with an  external halogen filled GM tube and a 0  to 2000 mr/hr range



    from an internal Anton 302 tube.  The Precision Model  111 "Scintil-



    lator" is used  primarily for low level detection and provides for a



    range of 0 to 5 mr/hr in six scales.  The  Radector has  a range of



    0 to 50,000 mr/hr  on two scales.  This instrument employs  an air



    ionization  chamber. These instruments are accurate  to + 20%, and



    readings can be taken to two significant figures.






    Remote Dose Rate  Recorders




    Eberline RM11 dose rate recorders -were placed at  sixteen stations



    around  the test range  complex.  These recorders  utilize a Geiger



    tube detector to document  radiation levels at specific  locations.



    The instrument has a 0.01 to 100 mr/hr range and the gamma dose



    rate is  recorded on a 30-hour strip chart.  The RM-11 is accurate



    to +_ 20% as calibrated with a Co   source. The locations of dose



    rate recorders are presented in Figure 1.





                                   2

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    Aerial Cloud Tracking
    An Air Force U-3A aircraft, manned by two Public Health Service
    monitors equipped with portable instruments  identical to those of
    the ground monitor s , tracked the reactor effluent to position ground
    monitors.  Two Public Health Service C-45 aircraft containing sam-
    ling equipment were  also used as aids in cloud tracking.  However,
    their primary purpose was cloud sampling in order to determine
    cloud size and inventory.   The results of their sampling are  re-
    ported separately.

    Film Badges
    The PHS maintains 65 film badge stations off the test range complex
    and assigns  badges  to 166 off-site residents.   The badge  used is
    made up of Dupont Type 555 film.   This film is accurate to + 50%
    in the 20 to 100 mr range  and +_ 10% in the  100 to 2000 mr range.

B.  Environmental Measurements
    Air Samples
    On the test day the PHS maintained General Metal Works high vol-
    ume air  samplers containing glass fiber prefilters at  33  off-site
    locations as shown in Figure 1.  Thirteen of the air samplers were
    equipped with MSA* charcoal cartridges in addition to the prefilters .
    All air sample prefilters collected following the KIWI reactor runs
    •were returned to  the Southwestern Radiological Health Laboratory
    (SWRHL.) in Las Vegas to be counted for gross beta activity -with a
    thin window,  large  area  proportional  probe  connected to  a  high
    speed sealer.  The system has an efficiency of approximately 30%
    for 1.5  Mev betas and has a background of 575 +  20 counts per
    minute.

    Gross beta concentrations were computed at the time of count for
    the purpose of screening samples and delineating the effluent tra-
    jectory.   These  samples were then stored for five days to allow
    *Mine Safety Appliance Company
                                  3

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                                                      •  RANCHES OR  FARMS
                                                         MILK
                                                         WATER
Figure 1.  Air sampler and dose rate recorder locations.
                              4

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natural activity to decay.   They were recounted at this  time and



again seven days  later.  Activity levels were then recomputed to



end of collection from these two later counts.






Several air samples exhibiting levels of activity significantly above



natural background were recounted frequently  to obtain  a decay



curve.   The curve obtained was then  analyzed for  best fit to the



general  equation  y= ax  .  Based on an analysis  of decay curves,  a



T   "    relationship •was found to exist  with  a mean error of + 5%.



This  relationship was  then used to extrapolate the activity to the



end of the collection period.






 All  charcoal  cartridges were  analyzed for gamma  isotopes by



 placing each  cartridge directly on a 4" x 4" sodium iodide  crystal



 coupled to a 400-channel pulse height analyzer set to view energies



 from 0 to 2 Mev.  Assuming  no break  in the prefilter, the activity



 on the cartridge should represent the gaseous fission products such



 as isotopes of iodine.  Overall detection efficiency for this geome-



 try is about 18% atO.53 Mev (I   ). The minimum detectable activ-



 ity for I    ,1    ,1   , and I   is taken to be  200 picocuries  with



 an associated error of +_ 50% for I    ,1    , I   ,  and +_ 100% for



 I    .   The time of count is 10 minutes.  Error estimates are such



 that values less than 1 picocurie per cubic meter (pc/M3) are gen-



 erally not reported.   Since it is  not possible to define duration  of



 effluent passage at all locations, the reported values given as pc/M3



 assume an average concentration over each entire sampling  period.






 Milk and Water Samples



 After  each release of activity from NRDS,  milk samples are  col-



 lected from dairies (processing plants), producing dairy farms, and



 farms  producing  milk for  their own consumption.   Milk samples



 were collected, relative to this event,  from the locations shown in



 Figure 2.   Each  sample is counted for 50 minutes.   No attempt  is

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                                                           B   AIR  SAMPLER WITH
                                                               CHARCOAL CARTRIDGE
Figure  2.   Environmental sampling locations.

                                  6

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made to recount samples giving  low positive  values.   The lower



limit of detection for gamma emitters in milk samples is  taken to



be 20 picocuries per liter (pc/l)at the time of count, and all results



below that value are reported as <20 pc/1.  The error associated



with reported values is + 20 pc/1. All reported values are extrap-



olated to collection time.  When it became evident that no contam-



ination  of milk •was occurring,   the  sampling program ceased on



September 2, 1964.






All liquid samples are counted in 3. 5 liter inverted well aluminum



beakers which are placed on top of  a 4" x 4"  crystal coupled to a



400-channel  gamma pulse height analyzer-  Overall detection effi-



ciency  for the 0. 364 Mev photopeak of I    is 6.4%.   A  matrix



technique is  employed in computation to compensate for  the inter-



ference due  to  the  presence of  other isotopes.   The input to this



matrix  is variable,  allowing for the simultaneous determination of



any eight nuclides for -which detection efficiencies and interference



factors  have been obtained.  Actual computation is performed by an



IBM 1620 computer.






Vegetation samples  were obtained at most milk sampling locations



An attempt was made to make  the samples  representative of the



cow's feed;  however,  the samples were  taken primarily as early



indicators of where  milk might become contaminated  and were not



intended to yield a cow intake-excretion formula.   For this reason



the vegetation sample results are reported simply as  fresh fission



products present or not present.

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                          II.  RESULTS


The  August 28 design power run yielded  low levels  of  radioactivity

off the test  range complex.  A summary  of weather conditions  at

1155 on the test day is presented in  Table 2.  Based on  these condi-

tions radiation monitors were positioned in  an area north by north-

east of the test range complex.


A.   Ground Monitoring Data

     Peak gamma  dose rates occurring off the test range complex

     are given in Table 1.  The only locations at which ground moni-

     tors detected dose rates above background  were  Coyote  Summit

     and Goss1 Ranch;  Coyote Summit is uninhabited and  Goss1 Ranch

     had a population of two adults and three children during the sur-

     veillance  period.


Table 1.   Dose rate measurements  off the   test range  complex on
          August 28,  1964.
Location
(See Fig. 1)
Goss' Ranch
Coyote Summit
Time of Peak
Dose Rate
(PDT)
1505
1505
Time interval in which dose
rates greater than back-
ground existed.
1440-1545
1445-1550
Net Peak
dose rate
(mr/hr)
0. 18
0. 17
B.  Dose Rate Recorder Data

    Recorder data indicated no  dose rates above  background on the

    test day.  This includes data from Diablo,  Twin Springs Ranch,

    Lund, Pioche, and Caliente.


C.  Film Badge Data

    Due to the low dose rates encountered at points north of the test

    range complex,  no off-site film badges were collected imme-

                                8

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diately following the KIWI B4E test.   Badges collected since that

time, however,  have had no  exposures  which could be attributed to

the EPV test.


Table 2.   Meteorological data for EPV.

  Upper air data at:  Jackass Flats, Nevada,  1155 PDT,  8/28/64

  Height     Wind    Pressure   Temperature   Dew Point  Relative
(Ft. MSL) (Deg/kts)     (mb)        (°C)         (°C)     Humidity
SFC
4000
5000
6000
7000
8000
9000
10000
11000
12000
13000
14000
200/10
200/21
200/18
203/16
199/16
191/16
200/18
210/23
236/17
248/17
243/21
258/16
885
874
843
814
787
750
730
705
678
653
630
607
29. 3
26. 1
21. 2
18.6
16.2
13. 5
11. 5
11.4
9.4
7. 3
4.8
2.2
2. 0
- 2.6
- 4.2
- 4. 3
- 5. 0
- 5. 2
-11.4
-12. 1
-12.4
-13. 0
-14. 5
-16. 3
13
15
18
21
23
27
19
18
20
22
23
24
D.  Air Sample Data

    Several samples obtained on the test day contained fresh fission

    products. The results of analyses of the prefilters and charcoal

    cartridges are presented in Table 3.

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Table 3.  Analyses of air samples containing fresh fission products col-
          lected following the KIWI B4E EPV Experiment  reported in
          pc/M3 at end of collection.

 Location    Time-Date   Time-Date Vol-  Prefilter  Gamma Pulse Ht.
            onHrsPDT  off Hrs PDT ume    Gross       Analysis	
                                                     rl 31  Tl 3 2  Tl 3 3 Tl 3 5
(M3)     Beta
                                                  P    3    10  42   <1
 Goss'Ranch 1400 8-28    16008-28  85    22.0   Q  1Q  10QO 10Q  50Q

 Pioche      18408-28    12008-29707     <1    ££D   ND  <1ND

             14458-28    09008-29776     <1    g^g   gg  <}gg

  P-prefilter   C-charcoal cartridge   ND-not detectable
In addition to the above information,  a charcoal cartridge from an air
sampler at Blue  Jay Maintenance  Station showed the following  results:
I131, <1;  I132,  ND; I*33,   ND;  I135,  ND.   This  sample ran from
0700 hours on August 28 to 0700 hours on August 29.

Air samples  taken on August 28 at Alamo,  Sunnyside,  Currant, Lund,
and Ely, Nevada, and  Garrison,  Utah, did not possess fresh fission
products when analyzed.

E.  Milk Sample Data
    A milk sample obtained  on August 30 from Donahue's Ranch, loca-
    ted  25 miles north of Ursine, Nevada,  indicated the presence of
    I    at a level of 20  pc/1  - the  threshold  of detectability for  this
    isotope.   Milk samples obtained from 21  other  ranches and  four
    producer dairies did not contain fresh fission products in detectable
    quantities.   The cesium values reported  are  •within  the range of
    the cesium  levels generally .found in the particular areas sampled.

F.  Water Sample Data
    A non-potable water sample taken  from a pond  at Fillmore,  Utah
    on August 31 indicated 20 pc/1 of I   .  Six  additional  samples from
    other locations in Nevada  and Utah did not contain fresh fission
    products when analyzed.
                                 10

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Table 4.  Milk and vegetation sample analyses for EPV
COLLECTION DATA
LOCATION
M. Sharp Ranch
Nyala, Nevada
Blue Eagle Ranch (J.Sharp)
Currant, Nevada
Manzonie Ranch
Currant, Nevada
Halstead Ranch
Duckwater, Nevada
Hendrick Ranch
Sunny side, Nevada
McKenzie Dairy
Lund, Nevada
DATE
COLLECTED
1964
8/29 AM
8/30 AM
8/31 AM
9/01 AM
8/29 AM
8/29 AM
8/31 AM
9/01 AM
9/02 AM
9/01 AM
9/02 AM
9/02 AM
8/30 AM
8/31 AM
9/02 AM
8/29 AM
8/30 AM
8/31 AM
Milk Radioassav Data
ACTIVITY (pc/l)
T131 133 _ 137
I I Cs
<20 <20 25
<20 <20 100
<20 <20 70
<20 <20 70
<20 <20 65
<20 <20 70
<20 <20 80
<20 <20 100
<20 <20 90
<20 <20 50
<20 <20 60
<20 <20 65
<20 <20 90
<20 <20 95
<20 <20 75
<20 <20 95
<20 <20 85
<20 <20 80
Vegetation
Samples
Taken
P
P
ND
	
ND
	
ND
ND
 ND - fresh fission products not present in vegetation.
   P - presence of fresh fission products in vegetation samples.
 	   vegetation samples not taken.

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Table 4.  Milk and vegetation sample analyses for EPV (cont)
COLLECTION DATA
LOCATION
McKenzie Dairy (cont)
Georgetown Ranch
Ely, Nevada
Henroid Ranch
Cherry Creek, Nevada
Yelland Ranch
Ely, Nevada
Eldridge Ranch
Ely, Nevada
Kirkeby Ranch
Sho shone, Nevada
DATE
COLLECTED
1964
9/01 AM
8/30 AM
8/31 AM
9/02 AM
9/02 AM
8/29 AM
8/30 AM
8/31 AM
9/01 PM
9/02 AM
8/29 AM
8/30 AM
8/31 AM
9/01 AM
9/02 AM
Milk Radioassav Data
ACTIVITY (pe/l)
T131 .133 _ 137
I I Cs
<20 <20 100
<20 <20 45
<20 <20 45
<20 <20 50
<20 <20 90
<20 <20 115
<20 <20 85
<20 <20 110
<20 <20 130
<20 <20 150
<20 <20 70
<20 <20 25
<20 <20 20
<20 <20 30
<20 <20 10
Vegetation
Samples
-Taken
ND
ND
ND
P
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
 ND - fresh fission products not present in vegetation.
   P - presence of fresh fission products in vegetation samples.
 	   vegetation  samples not taken.

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Table 4.  Milk and vegetation sample analyses for EPV (cont)
COLLECTION DATA
LOCATION

Donahue Ranch
Ursine, Nevada
Lytle Ranch
Ursine, Nevada
Horlacher Ranch
Pioche, Nevada
Lee Ranch
Panaca, Nevada
Young Ranch
Caliente, Nevada
DATE
COLLECTED
1964
8/30 AM
8/31 AM
9/01 AM
9/02 AM
8/29 AM
8/30 AM
9/01 AM
8/29 AM
8/30 AM
8/31 AM
9/01 AM
9/01 AM
9/02 AM
8/29 PM
8/30 AM
8/31 AM
9/01 AM
9/02 AM
Milk Radioassav Data
ACTIVITY (pc/l)
T131 133 137
I I Cs

20 <20 40
<20 <20 40
<20 <20 60
<20 <20 55
<20 <20 25
<20 <20 20
<20 <20 60
<20 <20 55
<20 <20 60
<20 <20 65
<20 <20 80
<20 <20 60
<20 <20 65
<20 <20 30
<20 <20 20
<20 <20 20
<20 <20 20
<20 <20 30
Vegetation
Samples
Taken

P
ND
ND
ND
ND
	
P
ND
  ND - fresh fission products not present in vegetation.
   P - presence of fresh fission products in vegetation samples.
  	   vegetation samples not taken.

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Table 4. Milk and vegetation sample analyses for EPV (cont)
COLLECTION DATA
LOCATION

Bradshaw Ranch
Elgin, Nevada
Schofield Dairy
Hiko, Nevada



Stewart Dairy
Alamo, Nevada



College of S. Utah
Cedar City, Utah
Roberts Ranch
Beaver, Jtah

DATE
COLLECTED
1964
9/01 PM

8/29 AM
8/30 AM
8/31 AM
9/01 AM
9/02 AM
8/29 AM
8/30 AM
8/31 AM
9/01 AM
9/02 AM
8/31 PM

8/31 PM
9/01 AM
9/02 AM
Milk Radioassav Data
ACTIVITY (pc/l)
.131 T133 137
I I Cs

<20 <20 60

<20 <20 45
<20 <20 40
<20 <20 40
<20 <20 40
<20 <20 40
<20 <20 40
<20 <20 40
<20 <20 40
<20 <20 65
<20 <20 50
<20 <20 65

<20 <20 60
<20 <20 55
<20 <20 35
Vegetation
Samples
Ta t*»n

ND

P
ND
	
	
	
ND
ND
	
	
	
	

_._
ND

ND - fresh fission products not present in vegetation.
 P - presence of fresh fission products in vegetation samples.
	  vegetation samples not taken.

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Table 4.  Milk and vegetation samples analyses for EPV (cont)
COLLECTION DATA
LOCATION

Carter Ranch
Beaver, Utah
Goodwin Ranch
Milford, Utah
Utley Ranch
Fillmore, Utah
Anderson Ranch
Delta, Utah
Gonder Ranch
Garrison, Utah
DATE
COLLECTED
1964
8/31 PM
8/30 AM
8/31 AM
9/01 PM
9/02 AM
8/29 AM
8/30 AM
8/31 AM
8/29 AM
8/30 AM
8/31 AM
9/02 AM
8/29 AM
8/30 AM
8/31 AM
9/01 AM
9/02 AM
Milk Radioassav Data
ACTIVITY (pc/l)
.131 133 _ 137
I I Cs

<20 <20 45
<20 <20 <20
<20 <20 25
<20 <20 25
<20 <20 30
<20 <20 25
<20 <20 40
<20 <20 65
<20 <20 95
<20 <20 110
<20 <20 115
<20 <20 50
<20 <20 40
<20 <20 55
<20 <20 45
<20 <20 55
<20 <20 45
Vegetation
Samples
Taken

	
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
  ND - fresh fission products not present in vegetation.
   P - presence of fresh fission products in vegetation samples.
  	   vegetation samples not taken.

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                         III.  CONCLUSIONS


The KIWI B4E-EPV test yielded low levels of radioactivity off the test

range complex.  Fresh fission products were found in a sector north by

northeast of the complex.   Vegetation samples bearing fresh fission

products were found as  far north as  the  Blue Jay Maintenance Station

and Spring  Valley  (30 miles  NE of Ely,  Nevada),  and as  far east  as

Fillmore, Utah.  However,  most of the samples taken did not include

fresh fission products.


Since peak radioiodine concentration in milk can be expected 3 to 5 days

following  a  contamination of feed,  the 20 pc/1 of I     in  milk from

Donahue's Ranch on August 30 is assumed to  be close to  the  maximum

value that occurred at this location.  This value  can be compared  to the

Federal Radiation  Council (FRC) Report  No. 21 .   A daily intake  of

100 pc averaged over  a year is  considered an acceptable intake  level.

Such an intake will yield a 0.5 rad/year dose  to  an infant's thyroid.

Thus the radioiodine level in milk at Donahue's Ranch did not  represent

a hazard.
  "Background  material for the development of  radiation protection
   standards,"  Report No.  2,  Federal Radiation Council, Sept.  1961.


                                 16

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        Section 2.  KIWI B4E EPVI,  SEPTEMBER 10, 1964






                I.  OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES






The KIWI B4E  reactor was tested under the conditions known as Ex-



perimental Plan  VI (EPVI) on September 10,  1964  with  the  reactor



tested in an upright position.  The test was a nominal two minute run



at design power and commenced at 1155 PDT.





The procedures followed on this experiment were similar to those in



support of the August 28 test.
                                17

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                          II.  RESULTS

The September 10 design power run yielded low levels of radioactiv-
ity off the test range complex.  A  summary of weather conditions at
1155 on the test day is presented in Table  6.  Based on these condi-
tions  radiation monitors were  positioned in an area north by north-
east of the test range complex.

A.  Ground Monitoring Data
    Gamma dose  rates  above  background  were not detected off the
    test range complex with portable monitoring  instruments, al-
    though monitors were in the path of the cloud as determined  by
    aerial monitoring and environmental sampling.

B.  Dose Rate Recorder Data
    Recorder data,  including that from Pioche,  Caliente, and Alamo
    indicated no dose rates above background on the day of the test.

C.  Film Badge Data
    Due to the low dose rates  off the test range complex, no off-site
    film badges were collected immediately following the KIWI B4E
    test.  Badges collected  since  that  time,  however^ have had no
    exposures which could be attributed to  the EPVI test.

D.  Air Sample Data
    Three samples collected on the test day  contained fresh fission
    products  and the  results  are  presented  in Table 5.  Other air
    samples taken on September 10 at Pioche, Alamo,  Ely, Sunny-
    side, and Currant, Nevada, and Garrison, Utah did  not contain
    detectable quantities of fresh fission products.
                                18

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Table 5.  Analyses of air samples containing fresh fission products col-
          lected  following the KIWI B4E  EPVI Experiment  reported in
          pc/M3  at end of collection.


 Location    Time-Date   Time-Date Vol-  Prefilter  Gamma Pulse Ht.
            on Hrs PDT  offHrsPDT ume   Gross      Analysis	
                                     (M3)    Beta    ^ 31 ^ 3 2  ^33^35
 Goss'Ranch 1500 9-10    17459-10  119   445                 ^ °
 Hiko        08109-10    08159-11  900    19    *  °o'.l KD


 Caliente     09209-10    08009-11963    <1

 P-prefilter   C -charcoal cartridge   ND -not detectable
                                 19

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Table 6.  Meteorological data for EPVI
Upper air data at:  Jackass Flats, Nevada, 1230 PDT, 9/10/64.
  Height      Wind    Pressure   Temperature  Dew Point  Relative
(Ft. MSL)  (Deg/Kts)   (mb)         (°C)          (°C)    Humidity
SFC
4000
5000
6000
7000
8000
9000
10000
11000
12000
13000
14000
185/12
193/06
192/08
194/10
196/09
188/07
207/08
256/08
252/14
239/17
244/22
243/19
894
884
852
824
794
757
740
715
688
666
638
616
29. 0
27.5
24. 0
21.3
18.8
15.7
12.6
9.5
6.8
5.7
4.6
2. 0
1.5
-1.5
-3.4
-2.6
-2.8
-2.7
-4. 1
-5.7
-6.9
-10.9
MB
MB
17
15
16
20
23
28
31
34
37
29
(13)
(13)
MB -Motor Boating -dewpoint was below the limitation of the instrument.

E.  Milk and Vegetation Data
    Only milk samples from Schofield  Dairy Farm at Hiko,  Nevada
    indicated fresh fission products in detectable quantities.  Results
    of analysis of all milk samples  collected are  shown in Table  7.
    Vegetation samples were collected  primarily to  determine milk
    sampling locations.
                                  20

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Table 7.  Milk and vegetation analyses for EPVI
COLLECTION DATA
LOCATION
Schofield Dairy
Hiko, Nevada



Stewart
Alamo, Nevada


Horlacher
Pioche, Nevada

Young
Caliente, Nevada

Lytle
Ursine, Nevada
DATE
COLLECTED
9-12
9-13
9-15
9-17
9-23
9-11
9-12
9-13
9-15
9-11
9-12
9-13
9-11
9-12
9-13
9-12
9-13
Radioassay Data
ACTIVITY (pc/l)
.131 T133 „ 137
I I Cs
30 <20 40
40 <20 35
<20 <20 <20
<20 <20 <20
<20 <20 <20
<20 <20 35
<20 <20 30
<20 <20 35
<20 <20 85
<20 <20 70
<20 <20 70
<20 <20 55
<20 <20 10
<20 <20 20
<20 <20 20
<20 <20 30
<20 <20 15
Vegetation
Samples
Taken
P
P
P
P
P
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
XD
ND
ND
ND
ND
Notes:   P-presence of fresh fission products in vegetation sample
        ND-fresh fission products not present in vegetation

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                        III.  CONCLUSIONS





The KIWI B4E  EPVI test yielded low  levels of radioactivity off the


test  range complex.   Although EPV is believed to have produced a


greater release of fission products  than EPVI,  the peak concentra-

                   131
tions of 40 pc/1 of I    in milk at Hiko following  EPVI was greater


than values in any milk collected following EPV.   This  was undoubt-


edly due to meteorological conditions on the test days.




Schofield Dairy Farm at Hiko, Nevada,  was the  only location that


showed radioiodine in milk samples.  There  are no other  dairies in


Hiko.   As stated earlier in the  report,  a daily  intake of 100 pc/1


averaged over a year is considered an acceptable intake level. There -


fore, the maximum concentration  of 40 pc/1 at Hiko presents no radio-


logical hazard to the  consumers of the  milk.




Winds  on August 28 for EPV were very strong and gusty -while those


on September 10 for EPVI were light.   The strong  winds of August 28


spread the fresh fission products rapidly  over a large area, reduc-


ing the concentrations  in any  one area.   Wind conditions on  Sep-


tember 10 carried the effluent to the Hiko  area  in  approximately


10 hours for an arrival time of 2200 PDT.   Negligible winds during


the night tended to concentrate the deposition in the Hiko area.  Such


reasoning constitutes a possible explanation  for the  lack of detect-


able contamination at locations other than  at Hiko.
                                22

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                        DISTRIBUTION LIST

 1-15  SWRHL, Las Vegas, Nevada
   16  G. D. Ferber, USWB,  MRPB (R-3.3), Washington, D.  C.

   17  Phillip W. Allen, USWB, NVOO,  Las Vegas, Nevada

   18  Harold Mueller,  USWB, NVOO, Las Vegas, Nevada

   19  Col.  E. G. Halligan, DASA, NVOO, Las Vegas, Nevada

   20  C. S. Maupin, REECo, Mercury, Nevada

   21  V. M.  Milligan,  REECo, Mercury, Nevada

   22  Vincent Vespe, ALOO,  Albuquerque, New Mexico

23-25  George T. Anton, SNPO-N, Jackass Flats, Nevada

   26  B. P. Helgeson,  SNPO-N, NRDS,  Jackass Flats, Nevada

   27  John C. Gallimore, WANL, NRDS,  Jackass  Flats, Nevada

   28  Morton I.  Goldman, NUS,  Washington, D. C.

   29  Elmer  Hemmerle, Westinghouse Electric Corp, Pittsburgh, Pa.

   30  David Smith,  Lewis Research Center, SNPO-C, Cleveland,  Ohio

   31  John M. Wright,  SNPO-N, Jackass Flats, Nevada

   32  Hugo G. Simens,  NERVA Test Opns. , Aerojet-Gen. Corp,
               Jackass Flats, Nevada

   33  Bernd Kahn, DRH, RATSEC,  Cincinnati, Ohio

   34  Raymond Moore,  DRH, PHS,  Region VII,  Dallas, Texas

   35  James  G.  Terrill Jr., DRH, PHS, Washington, D. C.

36-38  Robert H.  Goeckermann, LRL, Livermore,  California

   39  John W. Gofman, LRL, Livermore,  California

   40  Keith Boyer,  LASL, Los Alamos,  New Mexico

   41  Charles I. Browne, LASL, Los Alamos, New Mexico

   42  Alvin C. Graves, LASL, Los Alamos,  New Mexico

   43  Harry S.  Jordon, LASL, Los Alamos,  New Mexico

   44  L. D. P- King, LASL, Los Alamos, New Mexico

   45  Herbert T. Knight, LASL, NRDS,  Jackass Flats, Nevada
   46  William E. Ogle, LASL, Los Alamos, New Mexico
   47  Fred Sanders, LASL, Mercury, Nevada

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       DISTRIBUTION LIST (CONT)




   48  Oren Stopinski, LASL, Los Alamos, New Mexico



   49  James E. Reeves,  Manager, NVOO, AEG,  Las Vegas, Nevada



   50  Otto H. Roehlk, OSD, NVOO, Las Vegas, Nevada



   51  Henry G. Vermillion, NVOO, AEC, Las Vegas,  Nevada



   52  Robert E.  Baker, AEC, Washington, D.C.



   53  Col. RalphS. Decker,  SNPO, Washington,  D.C.



   54  Gordon M. Dunning,  DOS, AEC, Washington, D. C.



   55  Brig. Gen. D.  L. Crowson,  DMA,  AEC, Washington, D.C.



   56  Mail & Records, NVOO, AEC, Las Vegas,  Nevada



57-75  Author's Copies

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