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
-------
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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