Analysis of Radiation Exposure, 4th Marine Corps Provisional Atomic Exercise Brigade, Exercise Desert Rock VII, Operation Plumbbob
Abstract
The radiation dose to Marine Brigade participants in Exercise Desert Rock VII (Operation Plumbbob, 1957) is reconstructed for each major brigade element. Although the exercise was centered primarily around Shot Hood after the Diablo misfire, there was limited participation in Shot Priscilla also. Moreover, the residual radiation from previous shots contributed to the total dose. Residual doses are determined through an automated procedure that utilizes raw survey data in modeling the radiation field, which is overlaid with specific troop activities to arrive at an integrated dose. Despite the lack of definitive troop activity information, the automated procedure facilitates an iterative process to correlate possible activities with those inferred from available dosimetry. The calculated doses to typical troops range from .58 rem to .66 rem. Other participants, notably officers, received higher recorded doses due to participation in Shot Priscilla. The calculated doses correlate well with available dosimetry. Rad-safe monitor teams were subjected to higher exposures due to their duties. This is evidenced by their total badge readings averaging 1.2 rem and ranging as high as 3 rem. Initial radiation and internal residual radiation exposures were insignificant.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 15, 1981
- Accession Number
- ADA122204
Entities
People
- Christoph Thomas
- Frank Gardea
- J. Goetz
- J. Klemm
- R. Weitz