SWRHL-53r
SPECIAL BOVINE SAMPLING STUDY—PROJECT ROLLERCOASTER SITES
                         by
                Raymond A. Brechbill
            Animal Investigation Program
             BioenvironmentaI  Research
    Southwestern Radiological  Health Laboratory

   Department of Health, Education, and Welfare
               Public Health Service
Consumer Protection and Environmental Health Service
                     June 1969
This surveillance performed under a Memorandum
         Understanding (No. SF 54 373)
                    for the
         U. S. ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION
                                                 of

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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 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 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" in-
cludes 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.
     100

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                                                        SWRHL-53r
SPECIAL BOVINE SAMPLING STUDY—PROJECT ROLLERCOASTER SITES
                            by
                   Raymond A. BrechbiI I
               Animal Investigation Program
                BioenvironmentaI  Research
       Southwestern Radiological  Health Laboratory

      Department of Health, Education,  and Welfare
                  Public Health Service
   Consumer Protection and Environmental Health Service
                        June 1969
     This surveillance performed under a Memorandum of
              Understanding (No. SF 54 373)
                         for the
              U. S. ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION

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                               ABSTRACT

Six bovine, three young animals and three aged animals, that had been
grazing on or near the 1963 Project Rollercoaster sites were sacrificed
in April 1967 to assess the body burden of 239Pu in these animals.
Levels found in various tissues were higher than those found in bovine
grazing on the NTS but far below the MPC levels established for humans.
The maximum dose an individual could receive from consuming tissue  from
these animals is negligible.  No pathology was found on either gross
or microscopic examination that could be directly related to radiation.
Due to the obscure etiology of the described lesions, it would be
impossible to reach any definite conclusions as to their origin; but
it would appear to be due to some other cause than radiation, since
the body burden of 239Pu was well below those levels known to induce
detectable radiation damage.
No statistical difference was found in the levels of 239Pu between  the
young and aged animals.
Hilaria jameaii constituted 86% of the animals' diet.

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                           TABLE OF CONTENTS
 ABSTRACT
 TABLE  OF CONTENTS
 LIST OF  TABLES
 INTRODUCTION
 METHODS
 RESULTS
 DISCUSSION
 REFERENCES
APPENDIX
DISTRIBUTION
  i
 ii
i i i
  1
  2
  3
  7
 10
 11
                                  n

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                             LIST OF TABLES

Table 1.  Concentrations of pCi 239Pu/g Ash Found in Selected
          Biological Samples Collected from Young and Aged Bovine
          Grazing on the Project Rollercoaster Sites.                   4
Table 2.  Statistical Summary of 239Pu Concentrations in pCi/g Ash
          Found in Selected Biological Samples Collected from Young
          and Aged Bovine Grazing on the Project Rollercoaster Sites.    5
Table A-l.  Gamma Spectroscopy - Rumen Contents.                       11
Table A-2.  Gamma Spectroscopy - Thyroid.                               11
Table A-3.  Gamma Spectroscopy - Abomasum Contents.                     12
Table A-4.  Gamma Spectroscopy - Abomasum Tissue.                      12
Table A-5.  Gamma Spectroscopy - Lung.                                 13
Table A-6.  Gamma Spectroscopy - Muscle.                               13
Table A-7.  Gamma Spectroscopy - Liver.                                14
Table A-8.  Bone Femur - 89Sr and 90Sr Results - Duplicate Samples.     14
                                 1 1 !

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                              INTRODUCTION

During Project Rollercoaster which was held in the spring  of 1963 on the
Tonopah Test Range, 239Pu was liberated in each of four separate events.
As a result of these events, the Atomic Energy Commission, Nevada Opera-
tions Office (AEC/NVOO) in 1967 requested the U.S. Public  Health Service,
Animal Investigation Program to conduct a followup study of the cattle
grazing on the contaminated sites to assess the uptake of  this  particular
radionuclide.  '
                           (2)
According to Glora and Aokiv ' considerable degradation of detectable
surface activity has been noted on the sites; however, they further
stated, "239Pu is still present in sufficient quantity to  present a
potential health hazard unless access is adequately controlled."  Although
the project sites have been reasonably well closed to humans since the
time of the events, range cattle have grazed periodically  on and near the
sites following the test series. The most highly contaminated portion of
each Rollercoaster site is fenced to control access.

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                                 METHODS

Six head of range cattle (three mature animals and three young animals)
which had been grazing on the Project Rollercoaster sites were purchased
from the Daniel's Ranch Estate, transported to the Well 3 facility at the
Nevada Test Site (NTS), and sacrificed on 26 April 1967.
Methods utilized for this sacrifice and investigation were essentially
the same as those outlined in SWRHL ITR-11^ and those in AIP-3(3)
except for the submission of additional biological samples for 239Pu
analysis, additional tissue samples for histopathology, and rumen content
samples for food habit analysis.
A portion of the biological sample was first submitted for gamma spectros-
copy and then recombined with the remaining portion for 239Pu analysis.
The following biological samples were collected:
     1.  For gamma spectroscopy:     2.  For radiochemistry:
         Abomasum Contents               Bone, Femur (Left & Right)
         Abomasum Tissue                 Kidneys
         Liver                           Liver
         Lung, Tips of Each Lobe         Lungs
         Muscle                          Muscle
         Rumen Contents                  Pulmonary Lymph Nodes
         Thyroid                         Rumen Contents
                                         Spleen
     3,   For histopathology:
         Bone (Costochondral  Junction 8th Rib)   Muscle
         Heart                                   Pulmonary Lymph Nodes
         Kidney                                  Spleen
         Liver                                   Thyroid
         Lung                                    Abnormal Tissue
Tissue samples were taken from three young and three old bovine.
Plutonium-239 analysis was then done on these samples.  The pCi/g ash

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concentrations found  in the tissues are given in Table 1.  Means and
standard deviations were calculated for each tissue for the three young,
the  three aged, and the combined group.  Nondetectable activities were
treated as  zero in these calculations.  A t-statistic was calculated for
the  difference between the means of the young and aged bovine for each
tissue.
                                 RESULTS

The  average  concentrations of plutonium-239* in bone was 3.86 ± 3.35 pCi/g
ash  (Table 1).  Values in other biological samples ranged from a low of
0.09 ± 0.03  pCi/g ash in liver to a high of 0.80 + 0.41 in spleen.
Average strontium-89 and -90 values in bone of 6.7 ± 1.7 and 11.7 ±
0.6pCi/g ash, respectively, are comparable to those values found in
bovine from  other areas on the state and the NTS.' '
Iodine-131 at an average level of 6.28 pCi/g tissue was detected in each
thyroid sampled.
Other programmed nuclides were nondetectable in most samples collected.
Those few exceptions were at or near nondetectable levels with our count-
ing  systems.
The  calculated t-statistics can be compared with the t-distribution
values for four degrees of freedom:  t(95%) = 2.776 and t(99%) = 4.604.
No significant difference was found between the young and aged bovine
tissues.  The means, standard deviations, and t-statistics are presented
in Table 2.
Gross and microscopic pathology in this group of six cows (Appendix B)
fell within  three categorical groups.  Group 1 would be those lesions
directly attributable to the method of sacrifice and the terminal
struggling prior to death.  Included in this group would be all gross

*Plutonium-239 accounts for 95% of the Pu counted.

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Table 1.  Concentrations of pCi 239Pu/g Ash Found in Selected  Biological Samples Collected from Young
          and Aged Bovine Grazing on the Project Rollercoaster Sites.
TISSUE
Bone (Femur)
AGED BOVINE YOUNG BOVINE
BOV-1-
N14-67
9.20 ± 0.52*
Liver 0.07 ± 0.04
Lung 0.31 ± 0.02
Muscle 0.67 ± 0.14
Rumen Contents 0.81 ± 0.06
Spleen 0.87 ± 0.14
Pulmonary
Lymph Nodes
N.D.**
Kidney 0.34 ± 0.03
BOV-2- BOV-3- BOV-4- BOV-5- BOV-6-
N14-67 ,M4-67 Ml 4-67 N14-67 NT 4-67
0.92 ± 0.23 0.60 ± 0.06 1.81 ± 0.33 5.25 ± 0.39 5.38 ± 0.44
0.07 ± 0.05 0.11 ± 0.04 0.07 ± 0.06 0.12 ±0.07 0.12+0.06
0.38 ± 0.12 0.35 ± 0.07 2.40 ± 0.10 0.10 ± 0.06 0.20 ± 0.07
0.26 ± 0.11 N.D. 0.52 ± 0.13 0.56 ± 0.13 0.63 ± 0.14
0.77 ± 0.07 0.27 ± 0.07 1.29 ± 0.91 0.72 ± 0.07 0.37 ± 0.08
0.90 ± 0.08 0.52 ± 0.10 0.67 ± 0.17 1.50 ±0.20 0.32 ±0.17
1.00 ± 0.90 N.D. N.D. N.D. 0.09 ± 0.05
1.46 ± 0.10 0.38 ± 0.06 0.06 ± 0.06 0.97 ± 0.16 0.51 + 0.10
 *Counting Error - 2 a

**Not Detectable

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Table 2.  Statistical Summary of 239Pu Concentrations in pCi/g Ash Found
          in Selected Biological Samples Collected from Young and Aged
          Bovine Grazing on the Project Rollercoaster Sites.
Tissue
Bone (Femur)
Liver
Lung
Muscle
Rumen Contents
Spleen
Pulmonary
Lymph Nodes
Kidney
Three
Aged Bovine
3.57 ± 4.88*
0.08 ± 0.02
0.35 ± 0.04
0.31 ± 0.34
0.62 ± 0.30
0.76 ± 0.21
0.33 ± 0.58
0.73 ± 0.64
Three
Young Bovine
4.15 ± 2.02
0.10 ± 0.03
0.90 ± 1.30
0.57 ± 0.06
0.79 ± 0.46
0.83 ± 0.61
0.03 ± 0.05
0.51 ± 0.46
All Six
Bovine
3.86 ± 3.35
0.09 ± 0.03
0.62 ± 0.88
0.44 ± 0.26
0.70 ± 0.36
0.80 ± 0.41
0.18 ± 0.40
0.62 ± 0.51
t-Statistic
0.16
0.78
0.60
1.07
0.44
0.15
0.73
0.39
*Mean ± Standard Deviation about the Mean.

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and microscopic lesions described in the lung, focal  hemorrhage in the
cortex and medulla of a lymph node, fracture of a mandible, rupture of
the rumen wall with spillage of rumen contents into the peritoneal cavity,
myositis, and focal accumulations of polymorphonuclear leucocytes in the
sinusoids of the liver, and of mononuclear leucocytes in the cardiac
muscle.
Group 2 would be those lesions that are generally considered to be of an
acquired nature.  Included in this group would be the following micro-
scopic lesions:  sarcosporidia in the cardiac and skeletal  muscles and
focal acute interstitial nephritis and focal  pyelonephritis in the kidney.
Group 3 would be those lesions that could possibly be attributable to
prolonged exposure to small quantities of alpha,  beta, or gamma radiation.
Included in this group would be the following microscopic lesions:  an
increase in the connective tissue in the medulla  and  a degree of lymphoid
exhaustion in the cortex of a lymph node, focal accumulations of immature
and mature lymphocytes in the kidney suggestive of an early lymphosarcoma,
and moderate myeloid metaplasia in a spleen.
Hilaria jamesii constituted 86% of the six animals' diet on this range
(Appendix C).

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                              DISCUSSION

The isotope  239pu W1'th a physical half-life of 2.44 X 10k years and a
biological half-life of about 200 years is of major concern when it is
available to biological organisms.
Essentially, the total quantity of plutonium which is incorporated into
an organism  remains there and provides a constant lifetime dose.  Since
plutonium is primarily an alpha emitter, the hazard is from internal
deposition and subsequent incorporation into the cells of the organism.
Only about 0.003%^  ' of ingested plutonium is absorbed into the blood
and available to the body for metabolism.  Inhalation is the most
important consideration.  On the Rollercoaster sites, 239Pu is avail-
able to bovine by both routes.  However, the results obtained from
this study indicate that the major route is ingestion, since the pul-
monary lymph nodes  contained essentially nondetectable amounts of this
isotope.
The critical organ  for this isotope is bone.  The maximum permissible body
burden for man as shown in the National Bureau of Standards Handbook 69^)
is 0.04 yCi.  Considering that 90% of this isotope is deposited in bone
and using the standard man's 7,000 g bone mass with a conversion factor
of about 30% ash weight, we can convert the maximum permissible body
burden as
     (40,000 pCi) (0.9 bone deposition)    = 17.1 pCi/g bone ash MPBB
(7,000 g) (0.3 conversion wet bone to ash)
This is a factor of almost twice the maximum bone burden of any of the
animals and slightly more than four times the average burden.  It is
realized that only  general comparisons can be made between man and bovine.
No MPBB has been calculated for bovine; and, since bovine have much
shorter life spans  than man, these MPBB's obviously would not be the same.
Since the cattle that graze on this area are sold on the open market and
available for general public consumption, the maximized dose a person

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would receive eating 8 oz of meat at each meal  for 50 years has been
calculated,  Assuming that the amount of 239Pu  would remain the same
in the muscles of these animals for 50 years.
  24 oz,meat x 28.4 £  = 682 g/day x 0.44 Pl      u = 300 pCi/day
       day          oz                        9
Critical organ = bone.  ICRP II data:
                             f  = 2.4 x 10" s
                              w

            Teff = 7.2xlO»day + xfiff = y.^JQU = 9.6X10'6 day"1

                           m = 7xl03 g bone
                            ZEF(RBE) n = 270
    Assume 50 year irradiation and intake -> then percent equilibrium
      reached is l-e"At =0.16 from ICRP II
    P = daily intake to bone = ^ x f w = 300x10" 6x2. 4x10" 5 = 7. 2x10" 9

Integrated dose:
                                  (270)  <50x365) -
      =  2.4 rem
At the end of 50 years a person would have received 2.4 rem.  This may
be compared to a recommended dose of 0.5 rem/year for members  of  the
general  public (ICRP 9 )  or 0.5 X 50 =  25  rem in  50 years.
It appears from these calculations that the potential hazard to the
public from consuming this meat is negligible.
Group 1 lesions attributable to the method of sacrifice are presented
primarily for clarification of the overall picture.  These lesions will
vary with each individual animal and each sacrifice and have no clinical
significance in our studies.
                                   8

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Group 2 lesions were consistent with previously reported lesions in
cattle sacrificed at Knoll Creek, Delamar Valley, and the Nevada Test
Site semi annually.  These lesions are assumed to be due to natural pro-
cesses occurring in random populations.
Group 3 lesions are of a type that could be attributable to prolonged
exposure to low levels of ingested radioisotopes.  The lesions have
also been described in animals throughout the United States that have
had no known exposure to radiation above background levels.
The species of grass Hilaria jamesii when present on grazing areas is
commonly a major portion of the bovine diet.  This food habit analyses
indicated no deviations from the expected diet.

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                               REFERENCES:

1.  Defense Atomic Support Agency.   Nuclear  Branch,  Atomic  Weapons  Train-
    ing Group, Field Command.   1963.   Hazardous  materials associated with
    nuclear energy.  Sandia Base, Albuquerque, N.  Mex.   70  p.
2.  Glora, M. A., and I.  Aoki.   1966.   Radiological  conditions  at Project
    Rollercoaster sites - 1965.   NVO-162-19.  Reynolds  Electr.  &  Eng.  Co.,
    Inc., NVOO, Mercury,  Nev.   28 p.
3.  Southwestern Radiological  Health Laboratory.   Animal  Investigation
    Program, Bioenvironmental  Research.   1964.   Routine bovine  sampling
    study.  Protocol AIP-3.  USPHS,  Las  Vegas, Nev.   3  p.
4.  Southwestern Radiological  Health Laboratory.   Animal  Investigation
    Program, Bioenvironmental  Research.   1967.   Special  bovine  sampling
    study, Project Rollercoaster sites.   Protocol  AIP-16.   USPHS,
    Las Vegas, Nevada.   3 p.
5.  Southwestern Radiological  Health Laboratory.   Bioenvironmental
    Research.  1967.  Progress  report of the Animal  Investigation Program,
    June ls 1964 through  December 31,  1965,  part I,  veterinary  public
    relations and animal  investigations.   Intralaboratory Report  ITR-11.
    USPHS, Las Vegas, Nev.   91  p.
6.  Southwestern Radiological  Health Laboratory.   Animal  Investigation
    Program, Bioenvironmental  Research.   1967.   Progress  report of  the
    Animal Investigation  Program, June 1,  1964,  through December  31, 1965S
   ' part II, routine bovine sampling studies.  Bioenvironmental Research
    Report BER-8.  USPHS, Las  Vegas,  Nev.  113 p.
7.  U.S.  Department of  Commerce.  1959.   Maximum permissible body burdens
    and maximum permissible concentrations of radionuc'ides in  air  and in
    water for occupational  exposure.   National Bureau o<~ Standards
    Handbook 69.   U.S.  Govt.  Print.  Off.,  Washington, D.C.   95  p.
                                 10

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                                 APPENDIX



                                                                       12
A.  Radioanalysis Results

B.  Pathology                                                          15


C.  Food Habit Results                                                 21
                                   11

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                               APPENDIX A



                          RADIOANALYSIS RESULTS






Table A-l.  Gamma Spectroscopy - Rumen Contents.
AIP NO.
BOV-l-RuC-67
BOV-2-RuC-67
BOV-3-RuC-67
BOV-4-RuC-67
BOV-5-RuC-67
BOV-6-RuC-67
AVERAGE
pCi/g
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND

pCi/g
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
.836

pCi/g
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND

106Ru
pCi/g
ND
ND
ND
.313
ND
ND

137Cs /
pCi/g
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND

K
g/g
.0020
ND
.0012
ND
ND
.0019
.0017
ND = Nondetectable
Table A-2.  Gamma Spectroscopy - Thyroid.
AIP NO.
BOV-l-Th-67
BOV-2-Th-67
BOV-3-Th-67
BOV-4-TH-67
BOV-5-Th-67
BOV-6-Th-67
AVERAGE
131j
pCi/g
4.43
5.13
7.74
5.76
6.98
7.76
6.28
i^Ce
pCi/g
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND

140Ba
pCi/g
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND

106Ru
pCi/g
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND

137Cs
pCi/g
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND

K
g/g
.0080
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND

ND = Nondetectable
                                  12

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Table A-3.  Gamma Spectroscopy - Abomasum Contents.
AIP NO.
BOV-l-AbC-67
BOV-2-AbC-67
BOV-3-AbC-67
BOV-4-AbC-67
BOV-5-AbC-67
BOV-6-AbC-67
AVERAGE
131j
pCi/g
.109
ND
ND
.014
ND
.313
.145
l^Ce
pCi/g
ND
ND
ND
.052
ND
ND

^°Ba
pCi/g
ND
ND
ND
.051
ND
.173

106Ru
pCi/g
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND

137Cs
pCi/g
.440
ND
ND
ND
.209
.191
.280
K
g/g
.0032
0060
.0046
.0043
.0027
.0059
.0044
ND = Nondetectable
Table A-4.  Gamma Spectroscopy - Abomasum Tissue.
AIP NO.
BOV-l-AbT-67
BOV-2-AbT-67
BOV-3-AbT-67
BOV-4-AbT-67
BOV-5-AbT-67
BOV-6-AbT-67
AVERAGE
131j
pCi/g
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND

i^Ce
pci/g
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND

14°Ba
pci/g
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND

106Ru
pCi/g
ND
.353
ND
ND
ND
ND

137Cs
pCi/g
ND
ND
.067
ND
ND
ND

K
g/g
.0019
.0016
.0017
,0025
.0027
.0040
.0024
ND = Nondetectable
                                  13

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Table A-5.  Gamma Spectroscopy - Lung.
AIP NO.
BOV-l-Lu-67
BOV-2-Lu-67
BOV-S-Lu-67
BOV-4-Lu-67
BOV-5-LU-67
BOV-6-Lu-67
131!
pCi/g
ND
ND
ND
.137
ND
ND
if4Ce
pCi/g
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
llt0Ba
pCi/g
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
106Ru
pCi/g
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
137Cs
pCi/g
.070
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
K
g/g
.0020
ND
ND
ND
ND
.0021
ND = Nondetectable
Table A-6.  Gamma Spectroscopy - Muscle.
AIP NO.
BOV-l-Mu-67
BOV-2-Mu-67
BOV-3-MU-67,-
BOV-4-MU-67
BOV-S-Mu-67
BOV-G-Mu-67
AVERAGE
131j
pCi/g
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND

i^Ce
pCi/g
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND

i"°Ba
pCi/g
.036
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND

106Ru
pCi/g
ND
ND
ND
ND
.129
ND

137Cs
pCi/g
.090
ND
ND
.041
.113
.145
.097 '
I
K
g/g
.0029
.0043
.0042
.0035
.0046
.0046
.0040
ND = Nondetectable
                                  14

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Table A-7.  Gamma Spectroscopy - Liver.
AIP NO.
BOV-l-Li-67
BOV-2-L1-67
BOV-3-L1-67
BOV-4-L1-67
BOV-5-U-67
BOV-6-L1-67
AVERAGE
131!
pCi/g
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND

^"Ce
pCi/g
ND
ND
ND
.415
ND
.605

i"°Ba
pCi/g
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND

106Ru
pCi/g
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND

137Cs
pCi/g
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND

K
g/g
.0029
.0039
.0020
.0020
.0024
.0033
.0027
 ND  = Nondetectable

 Table A-8.  Bone Femur - 89Sr and 90Sr Results - Duplicate Samples,

                  pCi 89Sr/g Ash               pCi  90Sr/g Ash
                          Counting                      Counting
                          Error*                        Error
 BOV-1-N14-67        4.0 ± 2.0                    14.1  ± 0.7
                    3.8 ± 1.8                    15.4  ± 0.6
 BOV-2-N14-67        7.9 ± 1.7                    12.3  ± 0.6
                    5.9 ± 1.9                    14.1  ± 0.7
 BOV-3-N14-67        4.2 ± 1.7                    13.5  ± 0.6
                    4.8 ± 1.6                    12.2  ± 0.6
 BOV-4-N14-67        5.4 ±1.7                     9.9  ± 0.6
                    0.0 ± 2.8                    10.9  ± 0.8
 BOV-5-N14-67       16.1 ± 1.1                     6.7  ± 0.4
                   14.6 ± 1.2                     6.9  ± 0.4
 BOV-6-N14-67        4.9 ± 1.6                    12.0  ± 0.6
                    6.0 ± 1.7                    12.7  ± 0.6
AVERAGE             6.7 ±1.7                    11.7  ± 0.6
*2o

                                  15

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                         APPENDIX B - PATHOLOGY

All animals sacrificed had probably grazed on  and  near the Rollercoaster
sites their entire lives.
The animals are laid on their right sides.  A  ventral  midline incision
is made, and the skin and left foreleg and hindleg are reflected dorsally.
The abdominal musculature is incised on the midline reflected dorsally.
The ribs are cut at the costochondral rib and  at the vertebra.   The ribs
are then removed and the thoracic cavity revealed.
1.  BOV-1-N14-67
    a.  History.
    DATE OF DEATH:  9 Aug. 67   HOUR:  0930   LOCATION:   Tonopah Test
                                                         Range
    DATE OF NECROPSY:  9 Aug. 67   HOUR:   1000   LOCATION:   Tonopah Test
                                                            Range
    SEX:  Female   AGE:  Aged   WEIGHT:  386.4 kg    METHOD:   Estimate
    SPECIES:  Bovine   COMMON NAME:  Cow   BREED:   Crossbred Shorthorn
    b.  External Appearance.
    The animal  is an aged lactating shorthorn  cross in good  condition.
    She is a dark red animal with long horns.
    c.  Digestive System.
    Rumen is filled with ingesta.   Ingesta is  quite dry but  of bright
    green color.
    d.  Genitourinary System.
    Cow is lactating--milk flows freely when mammary gland is incised.
    e.  Respiratory System.
    Diaphragmatic lobes are penetrated with a  .243 bullet.   Bullet tran-
    sects both  lobes on a horizontal  line—entered on left side and exited
    on right side.  Parietal cavity contains several  100 cc's of clotted
    blood.   Lungs show intralobular emphysema.
                                  16

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    f.   Miscellaneous.
    Cow is in excellent condition with much subcutaneous and peri renal
    fat.
    g.  Organ Weights and Measurements.
                          Lung Weight:   2,895 grams
    Left Apical           165 grams     Right Apical
    Left Cardiac          115 grams
    Left Diaphragmatic    840 grams
    Intermediate          170 grams
     Right Cardiac
     Right Diaphragmatic
                                                            200 grams
                                                            291 grams
                                                          1,114 grams
    Thyroid Weight:  53.0 grams
    h.  Necropsy Results.
        Lung:  Erythrocytes are present in lumina of all  bronchioles
               which were observed.
        Lymph Node:  Microscopically,  it appears  that there is  an  increase
                     in connective tissue in the  medulla  and a  degree  of
                     lymphoid exhaustion in the cortex.
2.   BOV-2-N14-67
    a.   History.
    DATE OF DEATH:   9 Aug.  67
HOUR:  0930
                                             LOCATION:  Tonopah Test
                                                        Range
DATE OF NECROPSY:  9 Aug. 67   HOUR:  1030   LOCATION:  Tonopah Test
                                                        Range
SEX:  Female   AGE:  Aged   WEIGHT:  398 kg   METHOD:  Estimate
SPECIES:  Bovine     COMMON NAME:  Cow     BREED:  Crossbred Shorthorn
b.  External Appearance.
The cow is an aged, lactating, white, horned, shorthorn crossbred
animal in good condition.
                                  17

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c.  Organ Heights and Measurements.
                      Lung Weight:   3,308 grams
                      158 grams
                      130 grams
                      927 grams
                       93 grams
Left Apical
Left Cardiac
Left Diaphragmatic
Intermediate
                                    Right Apical
                                    Right Cardiac
                                    Right Diaphragmatic
  507 grams
  312 grams
1,181 grams
Thyroid Weight:   32.5 grams
d.  Necropsy Results.
    Lung:  There is focal  hemorrhage into the alveoli  and some
           bronchioles.   There is focal  atelectasis.
    Cardiac Muscle:  Few Saroocystis spp. are present.
BOV-3-N14-67
a.  History.
DATE OF DEATH:  9 Aug. 67
                              HOUR:   0930

DATE OF NECROPSY:   9 Aug.  67  HOUR:   1100
                                            LOCATION:   Tonopah Test
                                                       Range
                                            LOCATION:   Tonopah Test
                                                       Range
SEX:  Female   AGE:  Aged   WEIGHT:   329.5 kg   METHOD:  Estimate
SPECIES:  Bovine    COMMON NAME:   Cow    BREED:   Hereford Crossbreed
b.  External Appearance.
This is an aged,Hereford-crossbred, lactating cow in fair condition.
    Organ Weights and Measurements.
                      Lung Weight:
                      108 grams
                      153 grams
                      841 grams
                      129 grams
Thyroid Weight:   23.0 grams
d.  Necropsy Results.
    Kidney:   Focal  acute interstitial nephritis  and focal
             pyelonephritis are present.
c.
Left Apical
Left Cardiac
Left Diaphragmatic
Intermediate
                                    2,804 grams
                                    Right Apical          365 grams
                                    Right Cardiac        211 grams
                                    Right Diaphragmatic  997 grams
                              18

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4.  BOV-4-N14-67
    a.  History.
    DATE OF DEATH:  9 Aug. 67
                               HOUR:   0930
    DATE OF NECROPSY:  9 Aug. 67
                                                 LOCATION:   Tonopah  Test
                                                            Range
                                   HOUR:   1130   LOCATION:   Tonopah  Test
                                                            Range
    SEX:   Female   AGE:  2 years   WEIGHT:   306 kg   METHOD:   Estimate
    SPECIES:  Bovine    COMMON NAME:   Cow    BREED:   Hereford Crossbreed
    b.  External Appearance.
    Animal is in good condition.
    c.  Organ Heights and Measurements.
                          Lung Weight:  3,175 grams
    Left Apical            181 grams     Right Apical             529  grams
    Left Cardiac          124 grams     Right Cardiac           205  grams
    Left Diaphragmatic    958 grams     Right Diaphragmatic   1,194  grams
    Intermediate           84 grams
    Thyroid Weight:  25.0 grams (Before pathology sample taken)
    Thyroid Weight:  24.0 grams (After pathology sample taken)
    d.  Necropsy Results.
        Lymph Node:  Focal hemorrhage in the cortex  and medulla  is
                     present.
        Kidney:   Focal accumulations  of immature and mature lymphocytes
                 which is suggestive  of early lymphosarcoma.
        Cardiac Muscle:  Moderate sarcosporidiosis is present.
5.   BOV-5-N14-67
    a.  History.
    DATE OF DEATH:
                9 Aug. 67      HOUR:  0930   LOCATION:   Tonopah Test
                                                        Range
DATE OF NECROPSY:  9 Aug. 67   HOUR:  1200   LOCATION:   Tonopah Test
                                                        Range
SEX:  Female   AGE:  1 year   WEIGHT:  177 kg   METHOD:  Estimate
SPECIES:  Bovine    COMMON NAME:  Cow    BREED:  Hereford
                                  19

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b.  External Appearance.
The animal is a yearling mixed Hereford heifer in good condition.
c.  Digestive System.
Rumen contents are found in the peritoneal  cavity.
d.  Respiratory System.
Lung shows severe intralobular emphysema as if animal  had been
strenuously exerted prior to death.
e.  Miscellaneous.
The ventral edge of the lateral  surface of  the left mandible is
fractured from a bullet.
f.
Left Apical
Left Cardiac
Left Diaphragmatic
Intermediate
Right Apical
Right Cardiac
Right Diaphragmatic
124 grams
188 grams
610 grams
    Organ Weights and Measurements.
                      Lung Weight:   2,505 grams
                      427 grams
                      235 grams
                      832 grams
                       89 grams
Thyroid Weight:   15 grams (Before pathology sample taken)
Thyroid Weight:   14 grams (After pathology sample taken)
g.  Necropsy Results.
    Kidney:   Congestion is marked.
    Skeletal  Muscle:   A slight  myositis  is present characterized by
                      the presence of  both mononuclear  and  poly-
                      morphonuclear  leucocytes which  are present in
                      the perimysical  tissue.
    Lung:   Focal  alveolar edema and  atelectasis  are present.
    Liver:  There are  focal  accumulations  of polymorphonuclear
            leucocytes  present  in the  sinusoids—this is not
            indicative  of acute hepatitis.
    Cardiac Muscle:  Focal  accumulations  of mononuclear leucocytes
                    are  present in  the  perimysium.
                              20

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6.  BOV-6-N14-67
    a.  History.
    DATE OF DEATH:   9 Aug.  67       HOUR:  0930   LOCATION:  Tonopah  Test
                                                           Range
    DATE OF NECROPSY:  9 Aug.  67    HOUR:  1230   LOCATION:  Tonopah  Test
                                                           Range
    SEX:  Female   AGE:   2  years    WEIGHT:   341  kg   METHOD:   Estimate
    SPECIES:   Bovine    COMMON NAME:  Cow    BREED:  Hereford
    b.  External Appearance.
    Cow is a  2-year-old  Hereford  in excellent condition.
    c.  Respiratory System.
    Animal shows signs of intralobular emphysema from  exertion prior to
    death. Trachea contains 150  cc of clotted blood.
    d.  Organ Heights and Measurements.
                         Lung Weight:  3,262 grams
    Left Apical           212  grams    Right Apical             303  grams
    Left Cardiac           99  grams    Right Cardiac            192  grams
    Left Diaphragmatic  1,643  grams    Right Diaphragmatic      748  grams
    Intermediate           65  grams
    Thyroid Weight:   30  grams  (Before pathology  sample taken)
    Thyroid Weight:   29  grams  (After pathology sample  taken)
    e.   Necropsy Results.
        Lung:  Extensive alveolar hemorrhage is  present.
        Cardiac  Muscle:   Slight sarcosporidiosis is present.
        Skeletal  Muscle:  Slight  sarcosporidiosis is present.
        Spleen:   Moderate myeloid metaplasia is  present.
                                 21

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                     APPENDIX C - FOOD HABIT RESULTS
1.  BOV-1-RuC-N14-67
    Hilaria jamesii
    Orhysopsis hymenoides
    Atriplex canescens
    Sphaeralcea ambigua
    Unidentified forb
    Stanleya spp.
    Sporobolus airoides
    Eriogowm spp.
    Euphorbia spp.
    Unidentified brouse
    Sarcobatus vermiculatus
2.  BOV-2-RuC-N14-67
    Hilaria jamesii
    Sphaeralcea ambigua
    Atriplex canescens
    Stanleya pinnata
    Salsola kali
    Orhyzopsis hymenoides
    Eriogonum spp.
    Unidentified forb
    Sarcobatus vermiculatus
3.  BOV-3-RuC-N14-67
    Hilaria jamesii
    Atriplex canescens
    Sarcobatus vermiculatus
    Orhyzopsis hymenoides
    Sporobolus airoides
 Stems-Leaves-Heads
 Seed-Leaves
 Leaves-Seeds
 Flower
 Stems
 Seeds
 Head-Leaves
 Leaves
 Leaves
 Leaves
 Leaves-Stems

 Stems-Leaves-Heads
 Stems-Leaves-Fl owers
 Stems-Leaves
 Seeds-Fruit
 Leaves
 Seeds
 Leaves
 Stems
 Leaves-Stems

 Stems-Leaves
 Stems-Leaves-Fruit-Seeds
 Stems-Leaves
 Seeds
 Heads
Vol. %*

  98%
   1%
   1%
   T
   T
   T
   T
   T
   T
   T
   T

  63%
  30%
   5%
   2%
   T
   T
   T
   T
   T

  86%
  10%
   3%
   1%
   T
*Vol.  % = percent by volume of a
 animal.
T = Trace
species found in the ingesta from each
                                  22

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3.  BOV-3-RuC-Nl4-67 (continued)
    Sphaeraloea ambigua
    Eriogonum spp.
    Unidentified forbs
4.  BOV-4-RUC-N14-67
    Hilaria jamesii
    Orhyzopsis hymenoides
    Sphaeraloea ambigua
    Saroobatus vermiculatus
    Sporobolus airoides
    Stanleya pinnata
    Ephedra nevadensis
    A triplex oanesoens
5.  BQV-5-RUC-N14-67
    Hilaria jamesii
    Saraobatus vermiculatus
    Orhyzopsis hymenoides
    Sphaeralcea cmbigua
    Eriogonwn spp.
    Sporobolus airoides
    Franseria aoanthioarpa
    Atriplex aanesaens
6.  BOV-6-RuC-N14-67
    Hilaria jamesii
    Orhysopsis hymenoides
    Spnaeraloea ambigua
    Sporobolus airoides
    Saraobatus vermiculatus
    Atriplex oanesoens
    Franseria aoanthioarpa
    Unidentified forb
    Ephedra viridis
Leaves-Stems
Leaves
Stems

Leaves-Stems-Seeds
Seeds-Stems
Seeds-Fruit-Flowers-Leaves-Stems
Stems-Leaves
Heads-Leaves
Seeds
Stems
Leaves
Stems-Leaves
Stems-Leaves
Seeds-Stems
Seeds
Leaves
Heads
Fruit-Leaves
Leaves
Leaves-Stems
Seeds-Stems
Leaves
Heads-Leaves
Leaves-Fruit
Leaves
Fruit
Stems
Stems
Vol. %
    T
    T
    T
   89%
    5%
    4%
    1%
    1%
    T
    T
    T
   92%
    5%
    3%
    T
    T
    T
    T
    T
   90%
    8%
    1%
    1%
    T
    T
    T
    T
    T
                                   23

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                                 DI SIR I BUT I ON

 1-18     SWRHL, Las Vegas, Nevada
     19     Robert E. Miller, Manager, AEC/NVOO, Las Vegas, Nevada
     20     R.  H.  Thalgott, Test Manager, AEC/NVOO, Las Vegas, Nevada
     21     Chief, NOB/DASA, AEC/NVOO, Las Vegas, Nevada
     22     Henry G.  VermiI I ion, AEC/NVOO, Las Vegas, Nevada
     23     NTS Support Office, NVOO/AEC, Mercury, Nevada
     24     Robert R. Loux, AEC/NVOO, Las Vegas, Nevada
     25     D.  W.  Hendricks, AEC/NVOO, Las Vegas, Nevada
     26     Martin B. Biles, DOS, USAEC, Washington, D. C.
     27     John S. Kelly,  DPNE, USAEC,  Washington, D. C.
     28     Philip W. Allen, ARL/ESSA, AEC/NVOO, Las Vegas, Nevada
     29     Frank D.  Cluff, ARL/ESSA, AEC/NVOO, Las Vegas, Nevada
     30     Gilbert Ferber, ARL/ESSA, Silver Springs, Maryland
31  - 35     Charles L. Weaver, BRH,  PHS, Rockville, Maryland
     36     Bernd Kahn, BRH, RATSEC., Cincinnati, Ohio
     37     Northeastern Radiological Health Lab., Winchester, Mass.
     38     Southeastern Radiological Health Lab., Montgomery, Alabama
     39     Wm. C. King, LRL, Mercury, Nevada
     40     H.  L.  Reynolds, LRL, Livermore,  California
     41     R.  E.  Batzel,  LRL, Livermore, California
     42     John W. Gofman, LRL, Livermore,  California
     43     Wm. E. Ogle, LASL, Los Alamos, New Mexico
     44     Harry S.  Jordan, LASL, Los Alamos, New Mexico
     45     Victor M. Mi I Iigan, REECo.,  Mercury, Nevada
     46     Clinton S. Maupin, REECo., Mercury, Nevada
     47     Paul  T. Tueller, University  of Nevada, Reno, Nevada
     48     V.  R.  Bohman,  University of  Nevada, Reno, Nevada
     49     Director, Nevada Fish &  Game Commission, Reno, Nevada
     50     P.  Gustafson,  USAEC, Washington,  D. C.
     51     B.  F.  Murphey,  Sandia Corporation, Albuquerque, N. Mex.

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     Distribution  (continued)

     52     H. L. Rarrick, Sandia Corporation, Albuquerque, N. Mex.
     53     R. G. Fuller, BMI-LV, Las Vegas, Nevada
     54     CETO, Ecology Studies, Mercury, Nevada
     55     Dr. Arthur Wallace, Lab. of Nuclear Medicine., U. of Ca I .,
                 Los Angeles, California
     56     Clifton Blincoe,  College of Agriculture, U. of Nev., Reno, Nevada
     57     Robert Lynch, U.S.Dept.  of Agriculture, Las Vegas, Nevada
58 - 59     DTIE, Oak Ridge,  Tennessee

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            DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE
                          PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
                           August 14,  1969                 REFER TO: TTR:RDT
3 O, BOX 1S027
 To the Distribution:

 The following corrections  should be made in SWRHL-53r,  "Special

 Bovine Sampling Study-- Project Rollercoaster Sites. "

     Page i, first paragraph of the ABSTRACT   change date
        April 1967 to  read  August 1967.

     Page 2,  first  paragraph of METHODS -  change date
        26 April 1967 to read 9 August 1967.

     Page 2,  first  paragraph of METHODS -  change, "transported
        to the Well  3 facility at the Nevada Test Site(NTS),  " to
        read, "transported to the Tonopah Test Range(TTR), ".

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                                 DISTRIBUTION

 1-18     SWRHL, Las Vegas, Nevada
     19     Robert E.  Miller, Manager, AEC/NVOO, Las Vegas, Nevada
     20     R.  H.  Thalgott, Test Manager, AEC/NVOO, Las Vegas, Nevada
     21     Chief, NOB/DASA, AEC/NVOO, Las Vegas, Nevada
     22     Henry G.  Vermillion, AEC/NVOO, Las Vegas,  Nevada
     23     NTS Support Office, NVOO/AEC, Mercury,  Nevada
     24     Robert R.  Loux, AEC/NVOO, Las Vegas, Nevada
     25     D.  W.  Hendricks, AEC/NVOO, Las Vegas, Nevada
     26     Martin B.  Biles, DOS, USAEC, Washington, D. C.
     27     John S. Kelly, DPNE, USAEC, Washington, D. C.
     28     Philip W.  Allen, ARL/ESSA, AEC/NVOO, Las Vegas, Nevada
     29     Frank D.  Cluff, ARL/ESSA, AEC/NVOO, Las Vegas, Nevada
     30     Gilbert Ferber, ARL/ESSA, Silver Springs,  Maryland
31  - 35     Charles L. Weaver, BRH, PHS, Rockville, Maryland
     36     Bernd Kahn, BRH, RATSEC., Cincinnati, Ohio
     37     Northeastern Radiological Health Lab.,  Winchester, Mass.
     38     Southeastern Radiological Hea th Lab.,  Montgomery, Alabama
     39     Wm. C. King, LRL, Mercury, Nevada
     40     H.  L.  Reyno ds, LRL, Livermore, California
     41     R.  E.  Batzel, LRL, Livermore, California
     42     John W. Gofrnan, LRL, Livermore, California
     43     Wm. E. Ogle, LASL, Los Alamos, New Mexico
     44     Harry S.  Jordan, LASL, Los Alamos, New Mexico
     45     Victor M.  Milligan, REECo., Mercury, Nevada
     46     Clinton S. Maupin, REECo., Mercury, Nevada
     47     Paul  T. Tueller, University of Nevada,  Reno, Nevada
     48     V.  R.  Bohman, University of Nevada, Reno,  Nevada
     49     Director,  Nevada Fish & Game Commission, Reno, Nevada
     50     P.  Gustafson, USAEC, Washington, D. C.
     51     B.  F.  Murphey, Sandia Corporation, Albuquerque, N. Mex.

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     Distribution (continued)

     52     H.  L. Rarrick,  Sandia Corporation, Albuquerque, N. Mex.
     53     R.  G. Fuller,  BMI-LV, Las Vegas,  Nevada
     54     CETO, Ecology  Studies,  Mercury,-  Nevada
     55     Dr.  Arthur Wallace,  Lab.  of Nuclear Medicine., U. of Ca I . ,
                 Los Angeles, California
     56     Clifton Blincoe,  College  of Agriculture,  U. of Nev., Reno, Nevada
     57     Robert Lynch,  U.S.Dept. of Agriculture, Las Vegas, Nevada
58 - 59     DTIE, Oak Ridge,  Tennessee

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