Timeline
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July 30
1979 Through Today
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The Missing Test
Results
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July, 1979
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In July of 1979 the University
of Arizona asks the Arizona Game and Fish Department to collect samples
of wildlife from around the Page-Trowbridge landfill, so they can be tested
for radiation exposure levels.
The Arizona Game and Fish
Department collects 10 animals, and delivers them to the Arizona Atomic
Energy Commission for testing on July 30, 1979.
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October 10,
1980
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Two months after the animals
were delivered for testing, Ralph B. Ochoa, Supervisor of the Environmental
Surveillance Laboratory at the Arizona Atomic Energy Commission, (AAEC)
forwards a letter to an Arizona Game and Fish Dept. representative.
The letter lists the test
results for only two of the animals. Ochoa's letter reads in part:
“Sample
tag #1: Less than 540 picocuries of tritium per liter.
Sample tag #7
(composite): 2900 + 670 picocuries of tritium per liter.
Carbon 14 levels
were not significantly above background.
Sample results
are at the 95% confidence level.
NOTE: As a comparison,
surface waters usually have a nominal 1000 picocuries of tritium per liter.
State of Arizona drinking water regulations (see enclosed xerox) allow
about 20,000 picocuries of tritium per liter.”
For some reason, the test results
on the other 8 animals are not included in Ochoa's memo.
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June 11, 1980
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Red Tailed Hawk
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Almost a year after delivery
of the animals to the AAEC for radiation exposure testing, the Arizona
Game and Fish Department is still trying to obtain the missing test results.
Arizona Game and Fish Department
is quite interested in the results of the tests on the remaining specimens,
especially the red-tailed hawks. Hawks are top carnivores; if the
hawks have been feeding on contaminated animals, the contaminants will
accumulate in the hawk's organs and tissues.
On June 11, the Arizona Game
and Fish Department Director's Office inquires about the missing test results
via a letter to Ralph Ochoa of the AAEC.
Evidently, the Arizona Game
and Fish Department had been told earlier that analysis of the test
results had been delayed because of an investigation into tritium contamination
somewhere in Tucson.
Here is the full body of
the letter:
“On
July 30, 1979 I delivered ten samples of wildlife specimens to your lab
for analysis. Your report to me dated 10/10/79 indicated your findings
from sample #1 and #7.
It
was my understanding that analysis of the remaining samples would be delayed
pending completion of your department’s investigations involving tritium
contamination in Tucson.
As discussed
with you by telephone, we are particularly interested in analysis results
of tag numbers 4, 5 and 6, the red-tailed hawks. As top carnivores, hawks
have been shown to concentrate pollutants in various organs and adipose
tissue.
Please advise
if you anticipate further delays pertaining to samples 2-6 and 8-10”
There is no response to this
letter.
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August 4,1980
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A year and a month have
passed since the animals were delivered to AAEC for radiation exposure
testing, and the eight test results are still missing.
Arizona Game and Fish Department
makes another attempt to obtain the missing test results by a letter which
reads as follows:
“I am
enclosing a copy of a letter from our wildlife manager at Oracle in reference
to analysis of wildlife samples. Collection of these samples required considerable
effort in addition to sacrifice of the protected wildlife. Please process
and return your findings as soon as possible.
Your assistance
is appreciated.”
There is no response to this
letter.
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October 30,
1980
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A year and two months after
the animals were delivered to AAEC for radiation exposure testing, the
Arizona Game and Fish Department makes another attempt to obtain the missing
test results, again by letter:
“I am
enclosing a copy of a letter from our wildlife manager at Oracle in reference
to analysis of wildlife samples. We would appreciate processing of the
samples and a return of your findings as soon as possible.
Your assistance
is appreciated.”
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November 6,
1980
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A year and two months after
the animals were delivered for radiation exposure testing, the Arizona
Radiation Regulatory Agency finally responds to the requests that test
results be supplied.
The ARRC promises to have
the results by the end of December:
“Per
our conversation on November 4, 1980, pertaining to samples collected by
your department to be analyzed by our laboratory, this agency will try
to furnish you with results by the end of December, 1980.”
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April 4, 1981
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A handwritten note documents
a call to Arizona Radiation Regulatory Agency.
The agency promises that
they will analyze the other samples.
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Today
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The test results are still
missing. |
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