EFFECT OF FALLOUT

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28888, 7 May 1959, Page 15

EFFECT OF FALLOUT

Evidence At U.S. Inquiry

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) WASHINGTON, May 5 A scientist told a Congressional hearing today that deaths and other “tragedies” in the United States trom radioactivity could reach 2900 a year if atmospheric nuclear tests were continued at present rates.

That would exceed the annual toll in military plane crashes and all other accidents related to the nation’s defence.

Dr. Charles L. Dunham, head of the Atomic Energy Commission’s division of biology and medicine, told a special joint Congressional sub-committee on radiation that radioactive fission products such as Strontium-90 from tests held so far might cause 500 “greater or lesser tragedies” in this country each year during the next 30 years. Dr. Dunham said his use of the term “tragedies” included cases of cancer, leukemia, hereditary defects, stillbirths “and the like.” A spokesman for the sub-com-mittee’s technical staff said the tests, if continued at the 195758 rate, might quadruple the figure of 500 a year. Figures released at the opening of the fopr days of hearings by the Atomic Energy Commission showed that Soviet tests had injected twice as much radioactivity into the atmosphere in the last two years as the United States and British tests combined.

The sub-committee chairman. Representative Chet Holifield (Democrat, California), said Mr Dunham’s figures “justify the concern” of the committee over the fallout problem. The chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, Mr John McCone, today promised the release soon of yet another secret report showing “the very small hazard” from atomic fallout to date. Dr. Dunham also said there was “no cause for alarm.” Mr McCone later told a National Press Club lunch that scientific studies for the commission indicated that continued nuclear tests on an unrestricted basis could “create a very serious hazard.” But he said the studies also showed that all tests conducted to date by the United States. Britain and the Soviet Union “have not dangerously increased the radioactive content of the atmosphere and the consequent fallout.”

A recently-completed report by the general advisory committee named by President Eisenhower to make a detailed study of fallout would “give further reassurance to the people of the world about the very small hazard resulting from fallout,” he said.

Rain Unfit To Drink

COPENHAGEN. May 5. The head of the physiological laboratory of Copenhagen University, Dr. Hilde Leve, said today that the level of radioactivity in the rain water on the island of Saltholm is no higher than in other parts of Denmark or most of Europe. “But at times the level has been four times that generally considered the danger level.” she said. Yesterday, the 20 inhabitants of the island were told not to use rain water for drinking. All drinking water must now be ferried from the mainland.

No Reprieve For Murderer LONDON, May 6. The British Home Secretary (Mr R. A. Butler) decided today, despite an intensive campaign for a reprieve, that Ronald Marwood, the 25-year-old murderer of a policeman, must be hanged as ordered next Friday morning. The Minister’s announcement today came in the face of a mounting campaign by politicians, churchmen and thousands of Londoners for his reprieve. “Marwood was convicted, after a very full trial, of the capital murder of a police officer acting in the execution of his duty,” Mr Butler’s announcement said. “An appeal against his conviction was dismissed.

“I have examined his case in the light of all the available information and relevant circumstances, and I have failed to discover a sufficient ground to justify me in recommending Her Majesty to exercise the Royal prerogative of mercy.”