Page:Operation Crossroads 1946.pdf/119

 ::6. K-rations and water in canteens for decontamination crews were to be brought aboard daily


 * 7. "Radiological dangers" were to be clearly marked and, if necessary, roped off.

The Chief of the Radsafe Section (who was also entitled Radsafe Advisor) in a memorandum to Commander Joint Task Force 1 (CJTF 1), however, warned on 3 August of various problems and hazards. He wrote that high residual radiation on and in most target ships presented "an extremely difficult and dangerous problem," about which basic decisions had to be made soon. Early radiation surveys and decontamination experiments had led him to the following conclusions (Reference C.0.20):


 * 1. The contaminated decks and superstructures of the target fleet totaled about 100 acres (40.5 ha)


 * 2. In most cases, dangerous contamination remained even after strenuous decontamination efforts


 * 3. Some ships were badly contaminated below decks, and the task force had no way to deal with it


 * 4. No practical method had been found to decontaminate wooden or rusty surfaces short of removing the contaminated outer layer of the material


 * 5. Most decontamination methods possible, other than water washing, were themselves potentially hazardous


 * 6. The need for thoroughly washing the bodies and the clothes of boarding party members was putting a severe strain on the freshwater supply.

Moreover, the memorandum observed that even after repeated washings decks and superstructures of important target ships remained contaminated to levels between 1 and 10 R/24 hours. Average and maximum readings for CROSSROADS target vessels are given in Appendix F. These levels were high enough to severely restrict the amount of time men could work on ships without risking overexposure. Furthermore, months would pass before natural decay would lower intensities to the point where crews could occupy and operate the ships. Overexposures had been a problem in the work so far and probably would continue to be. The Chief of the Radsafe Section was concerned that even if exposures could be kept at or below 0.1 R/24 hours, over the long term they might cause sterility, anemia, and genetic damage, the latter of particular concern because the majority of the men were young. Finally, the departure on 15 August of 350 monitors and other radsafe personnel would leave about 24 military and a few civilian personnel to protect the many working on the over 70 target ships.

Consequently, to reduce the potential for radiological risk, the Chief of the Radsafe Section recommended that (Reference C.0.20):


 * 1. The time until 14 August be spent working on relatively uncontaminated vessels and those of greatest value to the task force

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