The McClelland Royal commission stated that:

"…in the present state of knowledge it must be assumed that any exposure to ionising radiation, however small the dose, gives rise an increased risk of cancer or heritable effects..."

ANIMAL THYROID STUDIES

During the Mosaic series, a CSIRO team was committed to measure the radioactive content in the thyroids of cattle and sheep in Australia. This team was lead by Dr. Headley Marston, FRS Head of the CSIRO Division of Biochemistry and General Nutrition. Marston commenced collecting thyroids from sheep and cattle in March 1956, testing for radioactive iodine 131.

Marstons' investigations showed that after Mosaic G1, sheep thyroids from Bourke and Marree had given iodine 131 count rates of 800 counts per 100 seconds. This was against a normal control level of 50 counts per 100 seconds. After Mosaic G2 count rates of 8000 to 24000 counts per 100 seconds were obtained in some specimens. Marston argued that the increase indicated a major hazard from strontium 90 and the uptake of other radioisotopes into human bones.

Testing continued during and after the Buffalo series, and fallout from the Kite explosion was detected to have passed over the city of Adelaide.

The AWSTC objected to Marston's findings, concluding that the isotope contamination was insignificant. This was reported to the Australian Prime Minister. Furthermore, the paper which Marston was to publish in The Australian Journal of Biological Sciences, August 1958 was edited by the AWSTC to remove two figures showing gamma spectra of fallout, and insisted on the removal of text implying an absence of its integrity.

HURRICANE

Insert figure 5.2. page 113 from Royal Commission

There appeared to be an insufficient emphasis placed on the meteorological conditions at the during the Monte Bello Islands tests. Despite the establishment of criteria to prevent radioactive fallout over the Australian mainland, significant fallout and contamination in rainwater after the blast was detected at Towsnsville, Rockhampton (200 times the background), and Brisbane (10 times background). Results were not provided for Broome (closest major occupation on the mainland to the site). Significant aerial contamination was detected from as far as north to south of Auckland, and Suva and Fiji.

TOTEM

Unexpected contamination of air sampling aircraft occurred after the Totem 1 explosion. Also atmospheric stillness meant that the cloud did not disperse, and it retained its shape for over 24 hours after the blast. The cloud traveled over Australia and crossed the coast near Townsville 50 hours after the blast. Sampling flights did not detect radiation in Fiji, although fallout was experienced across the mainland.

A radioactive black mist from Totem 1 significantly contaminated the areas of Wallatinna and Welbourn Hill. This resulted in the exposure of at least 45 Aboriginal people, who experienced commonly recognised symptoms of radiation sickness, and estimated excessive exposures to radiation. Deaths were reported, but due to the Pitjanjarra tribal rules surrounding speaking about the dead, no estimate could be ascertained.

MOSAIC

The Mosaic series demonstrated that due to the unpredictable nature of testing conditions and of the explosions themselves, that the projections for fallout were invalid and could not be reliably estimated. This subjected the Australian environment, north-western waters and people to radioactive fallout. The results of these tests demonstrated that there is no definable "safe firing criteria".

INSERT Butement et al 1957 graphs. RC252,255.

BUFFALO

Buffalo round 1 was fired at a time when the fallout was predicted to violate the safe firing criteria proposed by the safety committee. Measurements after Buffalo 1 confirmed that fallout levels exceeded Level A at locations beyond Coober Pedy, and exceeded Level B for nomadic people where aborigines could be expected to be living.

Round 2 (Marcoo) was fired in conditions that violated the conditions for no forecast of rain except in areas remote from the test site (as defined by a radius of 500 miles). Rain was forecast at 250 miles distance, but actually fell within 100 miles of ground zero.

Round 3 (Kite) was fired under conditions that resulted in the contamination of Maralinga Village.

Round 4 (Breakway) was fired under conditions for which the fallout was expected to exceed Level A beyond a distance of 100 miles and into the uninhabited region. In addition the criteria for fallout dose restrictions or overlap was violated.

Maps from Butement et al RC 289-298.

ANTLER

The McClelland Royal Commission concluded that for Rounds 1 and 2 of Antler, the measured contamination from fallout satisfied the Criteria set out by the Safety Committee. For Round 3, the fallout at the edge of the inhabited zone exceeded the limit of 500 mr.

Maps from Butement et al RC 362-365.

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