Science: The Hot Stuff

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In its 13th semiannual report, released this week, the AEC told how it guards the U.S. against radioactive dust from its Nevada Proving Ground.

AEC weathermen, studying reports from as far away as Japan, postpone a test whenever they foresee conditions that might keep the dust from dissipating properly. Only once have they had misgivings. Early in 1952, they warned eleven people at the Groom mine, 20 miles from the firing area, to get out—quick. The dust settled down on schedule, but there was not enough of it to hurt anybody.

After each shot, AEC crews follow the wanderings of the dust as it drifts across the U.S. They draw it into airborne filters (like household vacuum cleaners) or catch it on gummed paper (like flypaper). At 121 weather bureau stations, similar equipment picks up the drifting dust. According to AEC, no dangerous "fallout" of radioactive dust has occurred outside the test area.

Meteorologists have already learned much from the AEC's observations of drifting air masses. The knowledge will also be useful in war (the AEC does not mention this) when wandering dust clouds may be not "ours" but "theirs."