SWRHL-50r
NIMBUS-B/SNAP- 19 LAUNCH
MAY 18, 1968
OFF-SITE RADIOLOGICAL SURVEILLANCE
by
Environmental Surveillance
Southwestern Radiological Health Laboratory
Department of Health, Education, and Welfare
Public Health Service
National Center for Radiological Health
December 1968
This surveillance performed under a Memorandum of
Understanding (No. SF 54 373)
for the
U. S. ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION
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SWRHL-50r
NIMBUS-B/SNAP-19 LAUNCH
MAY 18, 1968
OFF-SITE RADIOLOGICAL SURVEILLANCE
by
Environmental Surveillance
Southwestern Radiological Health Laboratory
Department of Health, Education, and Welfare
Public Health Service
National Center for Radiological Health
December 1968
Copy No. 39
Frances M. Papes
Technical Reports Unit
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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LEGAL NOTICE
Tins leport was prepared as an account of Government sponsored
work Nt-ither the United States; nor the Atomic Energy Commis sion.
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 in-
formation contained in this report, or that the use of any information
apparatus, method, or process disclosed in this report may not in-
fringe privately owned rights: or
B assumes any liabilities with respect to the use of. or for damages
resulting irom 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.
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I. INTRODUCTION
The Southwestern Radiological Health Laboratory (SWRHL) of the
National Center for Radiological Health (NCRH), Public Health
Service (PHS) provided off-site monitoring for the launch of the
Nimbus-B/SNAP-19. This report presents the results of that sur-
veillance in partial satisfaction of general NCRH responsibilities
for radiation surveillance and in specific response to Atomic Energy
Commissipn Nevada Operations Office (AEC/NVOO) as requested by
letter of April 23, 1968 from AEC/NVOO to the Director, SWRHL.
The vehicle was launched from location SLC-2 East (Figure 1),
Vandenberg Air Force Base at 0121 h,ours PDT, May 18, 1968.
Shortly after launching, the vehicle was destroyed because of an
undesirable flight path. The best estimates placed the impact
area of the generator package about 5. miles north of San Miguel
Island in the Santa Barbara Channel (Figure 1).
j
Following the abort SWRHL monitors moved immediately into lo-
cations along the beach from Gaviota to Long Beach, including
three islands off the coast. They bej;an monitoring for possible
contamination and to collect environmental samples for analysis.
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SANTA MARIA
VANDENBURG AFB
LOMPOC
# SOLVANG
jfc GAVIOTA
0 i 10 15 JO 15
STATUTE MILES
San Miguel Island
PT. MUGU N.A.S.
MALIBU BEACH J
r^-^
Santa Rosa Island]
._—-—-_-.-, . ....... SA V^
Los AngelesN
LONG BEACH
P A C 1 F 1 C O C E A \ \
Newport Beaches.
San Nicolas Island
>o.n.. .C i.e. m.e. rj.te._Bje a c n\
Santa Catalina Island
Carlsbad Be«
MAY—1968
SNAP-19 SURVEILLANCE AREA
FIGURE 1
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II. SAMPLE COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Samples collected included air, vegetation, soil, milk, and water
(fresh and sea). Sampling locations for pre-launch activities were
set up to coincide with previous work done in the area . Post-
launch sampling locations were chosen on the basis of meteorologi-
cal and radar impact information.
Samples collected after the aborted launch were returned by SWRHL
aircraft and analyzed immediately fop gross alpha concentrations in
order to provide guidance for further surveillance operations.
The samples were treated as described in the SWRHL, "Operations
Plan for the Off-Site Surveillance for the Launch of SNAP-19, "
which is attached to this report.
During the pre-launch and immediate post-launch phase (May 16 to
June 18, 1968) of the SNAP-19 launch surveillance, a total of
178 samples were collected and analyzed.
1 Radiation Surveillance in Santa Barbara County, California,
July 1, 1963 - January 1, 1965; the EDP of SWRHL, Department
HEW, PHS, Las Vegas, Nevada, Mjp.rch 15, 1965.
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III. DESCRIPTION AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA
The data are presented in Tables 1-4 as follows:
Table 1 - Ground Monitoring
Table 2 - Vegetation, Soil, and Water
Table 3 - Air Sampling
Table 4 - Milk
The ground monitoring summary includes average instrument read-
ings before the launch in the Lompoc area and after the launch zlong
the main coast from Gaviota to 110 mi^es southeast of Gaviota, and
on the Channel Islands. The alpha activity on the ground (cpm/55 cm2 )
is listed under the PAC-IS column. The gamma activity (cpm), as
measured with a Plutonium Gamma Probe, is listed under the
PG-1 column and the gamma exposure rate (mR/hr) is listed in the
E-500B column. These values are comparable to those reported in
earlier studies . All levels measured) were as expected for natural
radioactivity.
The gross alpha summary includes rei.ults on soil, water, and
vegetation with results expressed as activity (pCi) per gram or liter.
The error associated with each value is based on counting statistics
(95% C.L.) and does not include those errors which may be associated
with variation in sample moisture content and natural soil activity due
to various types of soil. These data are about as expected for
natural radioactivity~".
2Ibid
^Radiation Hygiene Handbook, Kanson Blatz, McGraw-Hill Book Co. ,
Page 4-7.
3
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The air sample gross alpha activity summary is presented in Table 3.
In all cases, the alpha activity was less than 4 counts per minute
total (12 day count, volume ^ 600 ft3), the minimum detectable activity.
Beta and gamma analyses were done on all air filters. No evidence
of radioactivity from this operation was found.
SWRHL operates an air surveillance network consisting of 110 air
sampling stations in 20 states west of the Mississippi River. From
May 18 to May 31, all filters from these stations were carefully
examined for gross alpha activity. No evidence of an increase in
gross alpha activity was found.
Three milk samples were collected and analyzed for gamma activity.
These results are reported in Table 4 and show normal background
levels.
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IV. RECOVERY OPERATION
The generators were located on October 4, 1968. They were posi-
tively identified through underwater color photographs along with
debris from the launch vehicle.
The recovery of the generators and debris was completed on the
afternoon of October 9, 1968, by use of a two-man submarine and
"hard hat" divers. The generators had no visible damage except for
the loss of a small portion of the graphite coating on one of them.
The generators were placed in a steel drum containing fresh water.
The drum was sealed and loaded on a truck for transshipment to
Mound Laboratories.
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V. SAMPLE COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
During the recovery operations two f'sh samples were obtained for
analysis. Salt water samples from the recovery box and fresh water
samples from the steel drum were also obtained. Fresh water from
the mainland was obtained to verify non-contamination during the
entire operation (launch, abort, and recovery).
Gross alpha and specific plutonium-238 analyses were performed on
the samples. Gross analysis was performed as described in the
Operations Plan. Specific analysis included solvent extraction and
electrodeposition. The electroplated samples were counted with a
solid state alpha detector and a multi-channel analyzer.
The results from the recovery operations are presented in Table 5
and show no increase in background.
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VI. SUMMARY
The SWRHL monitored the off-site area during and after the unsuc-
cessful launch of the Nimbus-B/SNAP-19 satellite. A variety cf
environmental samples was collected from the mainland, sea, and
channel islands and was compared to previous data from the area.
During the recovery operations, additional samples were taken. No
increase in environmental radioactivity levels was observed from
this operation.
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Table 1. Ground monitoring summary
Location
E-500B*
PAC-1S* PG-1 (Open Prob
Date a(cpm/55cm2 )v(cpm) (mR/hr)
Pre -Launch
Santa Maria
Surf
Miguelito
Lompoc
Paradise
Park
Store
Vandenberg Village
5
5
5
5
5
5
-16
-17
-17
-17
-17
-18
-68
-68
-68
-68
-68
-68
3
3
4
4
3
4
2100 *#*
850 0.01
1000
3500 0.01
2000
2000
Post-Launch
Gaviota Beach
Gaviota Beach Turn-
5
5
-18
-18
-68
-68
3
5
off, Highway 1
10 mi SE
Turnoff ,
20 mi SE
Turnoff,
30 mi SE
Turnoff,
40 mi SE
Turnoff,
50 mi SE
Turnoff,
60 mi SE
Turnoff,
70 mi SE
Turnoff,
80 mi SE
Turnoff,
90 mi SE
Turnoff,
Beach)
Gaviota
Highway
Gaviota
Highway
Gaviota
Highway
Gaviota
Highway
Gaviota
Highway
Gaviota
Highway
Gaviota
Highway
Gaviota
Highway
Gaviota
Highway
Beach
1
Beach
1
Beach
1
Beach
1
Beach
1
Beach
1
Beach
1
Beach
1
Beach
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
-18
-18
-18
-18
-18
-18
-18
-18
-18
-68
-68
-68
-68
-68
-68
-68
-68
-68
1
3
2
2
0
3
2
4
2
____ , _
— — _ _ ____
_
1 (Zuma
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Table 1. Ground monitoring summary (continued)
Location
E-500B**
PAC-1S* PG-1 (Open Probe)
Date o.(cpm/55cm2) Y(cpm) (mR/hr)
Post-Launch (continued)
100 mi SE Gaviota 5-18-68
Beach Turnoff, High-
way 1 (Topanga)
110 mi SE Gaviota 5-18-68
Beach Turnoff, High-
way 1 (Malibu)
Santa Cruz Island
Santa Rosa Island
San Miguel Island
Gaviota Beach
5-18-68
5-18-68
5-18-68
5-19-68
Instrument
Failure
0
2
4
3500
1500
1000
0. 015
*The average of five readings within one square meter.
**The reading is with a Geiger-Mueller probe with the shield open.
The closed shield probe was calibrated with 137Cs. The unit
mR/hr indicates a meter deflection and not exposure rate.
*#*Not taken
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Table 2. Gross alpha summary.
Location
Lompoc
Gaviota State Beach Park
10 mi SE Gaviota Beach Turnoff,
Highway 1
20 mi SE Gaviota Beach Turnoff,
Highway 1
30 mi SE Gaviota Beach Turnoff,
Highway 1
40 mi SE Gaviota Beach Turnoff,
Highway 1
50 mi SE Gaviota Beach Turnoff,
Highway 1
60 mi SE Gaviota Beach Turnoff,
Highway 1
70 mi SE Gaviota Beach Turnoff,
Highway 1
80 mi SE Gaviota Beach Turnoff,
Highway 1
Port Hueneme
90 mi SE Gaviota Beach Turnoff,
Highway 1 (Zuma Beach)
100 mi SE Gaviota Beach Turnoff,
Highway 1 (Topanga Beach)
110 mi SE Gaviota Beach Turnoff,
Highway 1 (Malibu Beach)
Santa Rosa Island
Santa Cruz Island
San Miguel Island
Carlsbad Beach
Date
Collected
May 1968
17
18
18 <
18
18
18
18
18
18
18
18
18
18
18
18
18
18
18 Lost
19
Soil* Water
(pCi/g) (pCi/1)
Fresh Salt
1.1 + 1.0
1. 1 +. 0.4
0. 2 ± 0. 5
1. 1 ± 1. 0
0.4 ± 0. 6
1.1 ±0.3
5.2 ± 2.4
3.8 ± 0. 5
1. 1 ± 1. 1
0.4 ± 0. 6
0.4 ± 0. 5 3.6
0.9 ± 0. 7
1. 1 ± 0.9
1. 1 ± 0. 9
0. 9 ± 0. 7 < 1 < 1
0. 7 ± 0. 4 < 1
2. 9 ± 0. 9
in analysis< 1 < 1
2.0±0.5 < 1
Vegetation
(PCi/g)
< 0.2
< 0. 2
0.7
< 0. 2
0. 7
< 0.2
0.2
< 0. 2
0.5
< 0.2
< 0.2
< 0.2
0.2
< 0.2
< 0.2
< 0.2
< 0. 2
< 0.2
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Table 2. Gross alpha summary, (continued)
Location
San Clemente Beach
Newport Beach
Redondo Beach, Palos Verdes Pt.
Redondo Beach
El Segundo Beach
Malibu Beach
Zuma Beach
Laguna Beach
Gaviota State Beach
Goleta State Beach
Emma Wood Beach
San Miguel Island, Harris Pt.
Date
Collected
May 1968
19
19
19
19
19
19
19
19
20
21
21
21
21
Soil*
(pCi/g)
2. 0 ± 0. 7
0.9 ± 0.4
2.7 ± 1.6
1. 1 ± 0. 3
1. 1 ±0.7
0.4 ± 0.2
0.9 ± 0.5
0.4 + 0.3
0.4 + 0.3
0. 7 ± 0. 8
0.4 + 0.6
0.9 + 0.9
Water
(pCi/1)
Fresh Salt
1.6
< 1
2.0
< 1
< 1
1.6
< 1
2.0
< 1
< 1
< 1
< 1
Vegetation
(pCi/g)
< 0. 2
< 0. 2
< 0. 2
< 0. 2
San Miguel Island, 1-1/4 mi inland
W Harris Pt.
San Miguel Island, 1-1/2 mi inland
W Simonton Cove
San Miguel Island, 1-1/4 mi SE
Harris Pt. (Cuyler Harbor)
San Miguel Island 1-1/4 mi off
Prime 'Roc... 320° Mag.
CUSS I Drill Rig**
Malibu Beach
Newport Beach
San Cle.nente Beach
San Miguel
21
21
21
21
< 0.2 + 0. 3
< 0.2 ± 0.3
0.2 + 0.2
1.4
< 1
< 1
< 1
21
22
22
22
23
23
23
2.:
23
23
23
0.9 ± 0.9
0. 7 ± 0. 8
0.4 + 0. 6
0.4 ± 0.6
2.0 ± 1.3
< 0. 2 ± 0. 4
< 0.2 ±0.4
< 0. 2 ± 0.4
0. 2 ± 0.4
0.2 ± 0.4
< 1
< 1
< 1
< 1
< 1
*** < 0. 2
< 0. 2
< 0.2
<0.2
11
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Table 2. Gross alpha summary.
Location
Santa Rosa
Goleta State Beach
Gaviota State Beach
Ventura Beach
San Clemente Beach
Malibu Beach
Newport Beach
Goleta State Beach
Gaviota State Beach
Malibu Beach
San Clemente Beach
Goleta State Beach
San Clemente Beach
Malibu Beach
Ventura Beach
Newport Beach
Gaviota Beach
Carlsbad State Beach
Goleta State Beach
Carlsbad State Beach
Malibu Beach
Newport Beach
Ventura Beach
Gaviota State Beach
Carlsbad State Beach
(continued)
Date
Collected
May 1968 •
24
24
24
24
24
24
24
28
28
29
29
31
31
31
31
31
31
31
June 1968
07
07
07
07
07
07
07
17
Soil*
(pCi/g)
0.4 + 0. 6
1. 1 ± 2. 3
1. 3 ± 1. 1
4. 0 ± 1. 9
0. 7 ± 0. 8
1.6 + 1.2
0.9 ± 0.9
0. 2 + 0.4
0. 7 ± 0.8
1.3 ± 1. 1
2.7 ±1.6
1.1 + 2.3
2.7 ±1.6
2. 3 ± 1.4
1. 3 ± 1. 1
2.7 ±1.6
2.3 ±1.4
0.7 ±0.8
0.7 ±0.8
1. 1 ±2.3
0. 7 ± 0.8
0. 9 ± 0. 9
1. 3 ± 1. 1
2. 5 ± 1. 5
2. 0 i 1. 3
0. 2 ± 0.4
Water
(pCi/1)
Fresh Salt
< 1
< 1
< 1
< 1
< 1
< 1
< 1
< 1
< 1
< 1
< 1
< 1
< 1
< 1
< 1
< 1
< 1
< 1
< 1
< 1
< 1
< 1
< 1
< 1
Vegetation
(pCi/g)
< 0. 2
12
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Table 2. Gross alpha summary, (continued)
r\-»*
Location
Date
Collected
June 1968
Soil*
(pCi/g)
Water
(pCi/1)
Vegetation
(pCi/g)
Fresh
Salt
San Clemente Beach
Redondo Beach
Carpenteria Beach
Gaviota State Beach
Goleta State Beach
17
17
18
18
18
0. 7 ± 0.8
0. 7 + 0.8
0. 2 ± 0.4
1. 1 ±2.3
0. 9 ± 0.9
< 1
< 1
< 1
< 1
< 1
*95% C. L. based on counting statistics
**Impact area
#**Combination of 5 samples collected
13
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Location
Paradise Camp
Santa Maria
Gaviota Beach
Turnoff, Highway 1
Lompoc
Miguelito Park
Point Mi gu N. A.S.
Time On
5-16
5-17
5-16
5-17
5-18
5-18
5-16
5-17
5-18
5-19
5-18
5-18
5-20
5-21
5-22
*ND - less than 4 cpm total
> 600 ft3.
1712
1730
1710
1700
0430
1215
1700
1705
0200
1300
0420
0545
1025
1100
0950
alpha
Alpha
Time Off Activity*
5-17
5-18
5-17
5-18
5-19
5-19
5-17
5-18
5-19
5-20
5-18
5-18
5-21
5-22
5-23
activity on
1645
0245
1645
0245
1150
1525
1700
0105
1245
1030
0530
1210
0915
0800
1015
12 day counts ,
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
volumes
Table 4. Milk summary
Location Date
Solvang 5-
Lompoc 5-
Santa Maria 5-
Collected
18-68
19-68
18-68
< 10
< 10
< 10
Activity (pCi/1)
li7Cs 89Sr
20 < 5
< 10 < 5
< 10 < 5
y°Sr
< 2
< 2
< 2
11
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Table 5. Recovery Operation Samples
Location
Recovery Box
Shipping Barrel
Shipping Barrel
Impact Area
Santa Barbara
Lompoc
Lompoc
Type of Sample
Salt Water
Fresh Water
Fresh Water
Red Snapper Fish
(Bone)
Fresh Water
Fresh Water
Fresh Wavier
Activity
pCi/1 or g
< 0. 1*
< 0. 1*
< 1 **
< 0. 1=:=
< 1
2
3
*Specific analysis ( JBPu) estimated minimum sensitivities
0. 1 pCi/1 or 0. 1 pCi/g.
*#Gross alpha analysis estimated minimum sensitivity 1 pCi/1.
15
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DISTRIBUTION
1 - 15 SWRHL, Las Vegas, Nevada
16 Robert E. Miller, Manager, AEC/NVOO, Las Vegas, Nevada
17 R. H. Thalgott, Test Manager, AEC/NVOO, Las Vegas, Nevada
18 Henry G. Vermillion, AEC/NVOO, Las Vegas, Nevada
19 Chief, NOB/DASA, NVOO/AEC, Las Vegas, Nevada
20 D. H. Edwards, NVOO/AEC, Las Vegas, Nevada
21 D. W. Hendricks, NVOO/AEC, Las Vegas, Nevada
22 Mail & Records, NVOO/AEC, Las Vegas, Nevada
23 Martin B. Biles, Div. of Operat: onal Safety, AEC, Washington, D. C.
24 Director, DMA, USAEC, Washington, D. C.
25 John S». Kelly, DPNE, USAEC, Washington, D. C.
26 Philip Allen, ARL/ESSA, NVOO/AEC, Las Vegas, Nevada
27-31 Charles L. Weaver, NCRH, PHS, Rockville, Maryland
32 H. J. Reynolds, LRL, Livermore, California
33 Wm. E. Ogle, LASL, Los Alamos, New Mexico
34 Byron Murphey, Sandia CorporaKion, Albuquerque, N. Mex.
35 - 36 DTIE, Oak Ridge, Tennessee
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