Operation Crossroads: Personnel Radiation Exposure Estimates Should Be Improved
Abstract
Many of the 42,000 military participants in the 1946 atmospheric nuclear weapons test, known as Operation Crossroads, were subjected to varying amounts of radiation exposure. Documents recently discovered by concerned private citizens raise questions about the accuracy of the Defense Nuclear Agency's (DNA) radiation exposure estimates. The Veterans Administration uses these estimates in adjudicating former participants' radiation-related disability claims. Because of specific Congressional concerns, GAO reviewed certain issues regarding the radiation exposure of Crossroads participants, such as the reliability of the personnel film badges used to measure radiation, adequacy of the personnel decontamination procedures, and accuracy of DNA'S radiation dose reconstruction.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1985
- Accession Number
- AD1118752
Entities
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office