DEADLY EXPOSURE: "[The Atomic Energy Commission] released the following information: 'Accidental release of radioactivity detected offsite only.' This most likely translates to 'more deadly radiation exposure to workers.'".

• Author: Clayton, Dot
• Position: USA YESTERDAY

THE SERIES of 45 nuclear bomb tests were called Operation Nougat, and me next detonation, code named Antler, number 195, with a 2.6kt [kiloton] yield, was detonated Sept. 15, 1961, at the Nevada Test Site. Afterwards, the reentry team was ready to go into the tunnel, but there was a secondary explosion that blew out the portal. No one knew what caused that second blast. The radiation-safe monitors reported that the water in the drainage pond next to the highway was reading 72R [roentgen]. The Atomic Energy Commission explained this as an "accidental release of radiation detected offsite."

The next nuclear shot, code named Chena, number 198, with a yield stated as being "low," was detonated Oct. 10, 1961. This test had many problems. Not much data was recovered because the underground area was extremely contaminated. The only information obtained was an AEC bulletin that announced there was an accidental release of radioactivity detected onsite. That meant that workers again were exposed to deadly radiation.

A teletype from REECo to the AEC, dated Nov. 28, 1961, had a subject line saying, "IMPACT ON TUNNEL ACTIVITIES DUE TO RADIATION CEILINGS." It stated:

Your instructions that maximum of 3R per quarter must be observed has forced a 75 percent shutdown of tunnel B activities due to insufficient number of underground personnel with little or no radiation exposure for this quarter. All available new hires are being utilized in E tunnel complex. We understand that you can now authorize up to 12R per year for operational necessity, but only 3R per quarter, compared with previous limits of 5R per year and 3R per quarter. Unless maximum quarterly allowance is increased, the following will result:

Event in tunnel B will be appreciably delayed.

1. Future tunnel events will likely be delayed. Nature of delay indeterminate at this time and dependent on problem which might be encountered. Accident potential greatly increased due to inability to work new green hires along with experienced miners in tunnels having radiation levels.

2. We may be forced to retain large numbers of underground personnel on the payroll in a nonproductive capacity awaiting expiration of maximum allowable dosage period or opening of new underground facilities. The latter required, in most instances, a four to six week period from time of new tunnel authorization to time of full utilization of miners.

We urgently request that approximately 30 key personnel now working in B...