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After extensive press coverage detailing radiation exposures resulting from the ABLE and BAKER tests of Operation Crossroads conducted on Bikini Atoll in 1946, Operation Sandstone personnel were greatly concerned about radiological safety. Despite some initial safety efforts taken for earlier tests that included TRINITY in New Mexico, and ABLE and BAKER in the Pacific, atomic safety knowledge and technology were still in their infancy. The commentator said at the beginning of the film: “We are seeking answers to unanswered questions about atomic energy.” He also said that most of the radiological damage occurred in the first second of the explosion.
Two key goals of this operation were to test the effectiveness of shielding and to maintain exposure records of all personnel involved. After the detonation of X-RAY, the first test of the three-test series, radiation monitoring personnel were sent immediately to Enjebi Island, dressed in military fatigues. Safety officials became concerned when the survey instruments and dosimetric devices indicated that personnel could be approaching the exposure limit of one-tenth Roentgen per day. Safety officials then issued gas masks to the monitoring personnel. Military personnel are shown in fatigues cleaning the contaminated drone aircraft with water hoses. The commentator concluded: “Radiation, when handled intelligently, can be handled safely.”
The tests comprising the 1948 Operation Sandstone were as follows:
• X-RAY, April 14, Enewetak (Enjebi Island), tower, weapons related, 37 kilotons (kt)
• YOKE, April 30, Enewetak (Aomon Island), tower, weapons related, 49 kt
• ZEBRA, May 14, Enewetak (Runit Island), tower, weapons related, 18 kt
25 сен 2024
