Britain Seeks Uranium From Belgian Congo

Northern Advocate, 2 August 1949, Page 5

Britain Seeks Uranium From Belgian Congo

BRUSSELS, Mon. (10 a.m.) .—Britain has asked for at least one-quarter of the Belgian Congo’s uranium ore production, which, since the end of the war, has been exclusively reserved for American atomic plants under an agreement which, it is learned, expires today. Congo’s uranium ore production figures are top secret, but unofficial estimates put the annual output at 12,000 tons. An official of the Belgian Mining Union declined to say whether Belgium was willing to conclude a new agreement. Negotiations were continuing, he said, adding that Britain obviously had something to say in the matter.

The half-yearly report to the U.S. Congress by the Atomic Energy Commission says atom bombs are now being produced “on an industrial basis.” It says uranium and plutonium for bombs are being made in greater quantities than ever before. The report also states that radioactive cobalt is now being used as a more effective treatment of cancer than radium.

States, Britain and Canada in the atomic field began. The report says that all persons two and a half miles, or farther, from a place where an atomic bomb explodes are safe from injury by radiation. Nearly everybody within half a mile, if not protected by earth, steel or concrete, will die from the effects of radiation, blast, fire, 01 falling buildings. The number of radiation casualties will drop off sharply at one and a quarter miles. After describing the phases of radiation illness, the report says:

“New and effective weapons which were tested at Eniwelok in 1948 are in production,” adds the report. Other highlights of the report are: (1) Experiments are being made in treatment for the relief of pain and distress in two types of heart disease —angina pectoris and congestive heart failure. CANCER TREATMENT (2) The first human trials of radioactive cobalt as a cancer treatment are being carried out at Ohic State University. About 15 cases of five different types of cancer have been treated. Some tumours have been destroyed and others have been arrested. "Indications are that, due to the flexibility and comparative safety of radio-active cobalt, the university will be able to achieve its original objective of the better treatment of cancer. Evaluation of the results will require further large-scale work and some years.” (3) Research is being carried out to diagnose radiation injuries quickly by blood test.

“Scientists have found no practical way to prevent the death of cells or tissues injured by radiation. “However, the naturally great regenerative powers of the body can be helped along, and research indicates some hope of ultimately finding partially immunising agents in the form of sex hormones and cysteine, which is an animo acid.

“These agents have increased the resistance of laboratory mice to radiation.”

(4) Hornets will possibly be used to detect radiation leaks in atomic energy devices, because thej readily absorb one of the by-products of atomic fission. (5) It is possible that bacteria will be ured to remove dangerous radio-active materials from the waste products of atomic energy (just as ordinary sewage is ti'eated). HORMONE DEFICIENCIES

(6) It might be possible to diagnose male sex hormone deficiencies by using radio-active materials. Some of the victims of the Bataan “march of death”— a grim page in the story of the Pacific war—developed breasts like women as a result of malnutrition. Tests showed that starvation had reduced their production of normal male hormones. (7) Elaborate safeguards are being developed for the protection of atomic v orkers.

The repo:; also states that the commission has found stand-by resources c uranium in.the United States that can be used for military application if uranium now being obtained within the country and from abroad becomes unavailable. SEARCH FOR URANIUM

The report adds:—“A comprehensive examination has been made of virtually every rock formation in this country, and of mine and smelter products, gas and oil wells, and other places where uranium might be found. “By June, this work had revealed enormous tonnages of materials low in uranium content.” In connection with the production of fissionable materials for weapons and other uses, “action has be'en taken to improve and make more certain the supply of uranium ores, both from abroad and from sources in the United States.” A member of the commission said this reference had no connection with recent speculation about relations between America, Britain and Canada. One report was that the United States feared that Britain and Canada would cut off supplies of uranium—of which they had almost a monopoly—unless the United States gave them certain secrets of atomic energy. The member said the commission’s report was written before the discussions on the relations of the United