327. Telegram 1310 From USUN1
1310. Re UN Report on Effects of Atomic Radiation.
1. In our opinion comprehensive report of UN Scientific Committee on effects of atomic radiation likely to give further impetus opposition to nuclear tests on health and medical grounds, generating further political difficulty for US on testing issue.
2. We think this will be case in spite of fact report shows health hazards from testing are statistically only fraction of hazards from medical and natural sources. It seems to us numerous deleterious effects from radiation, which is main subject of the report, will heavily outweigh this fact in public mind and that there will be opposition to any dangers from tests, no matter how small.
3. We recognize few of facts contained are entirely new and that many of them actually stem from report US National Academy of Science. But UN report inevitably does not have qualifications re security [Typeset Page 1350] of West included in academy report. Furthermore UN imprint of new study will give it world-wide attention and sanction, directing official opinion more strongly to problem than before.
4. Examples of material included in report which we think may cause public reaction follow. We are afraid this material will be taken out of context and used without qualifications included in report. It may therefore be given great emphasis by press or, for political reasons, by other countries:
- A.
- Rice eaters (e.g. Asians) may get five times as great [Facsimile Page 2] a “marrow dose” of radiation than milk drinkers (e.g. Americans and British).
- B.
- Children, foetuses and embryos are probably particularly susceptible to radiation and especially to radiation-produced leukemia and bone tumor.
- C.
- Increased radiation may negatively affect intelligence level and life span.
- D.
- Even smallest amounts of radiation are liable to cause deleterious genetic, and perhaps also somatic effects.
- E.
- Because of delay with which somatic and genetic effects may appear, full extent of damage is not immediately apparent.
- F.
- Even slow rise in environmental radiation could eventually cause appreciable damage to large populations before damage could be identified as due to radiation.
- G.
- Continued tests could result in 2,000–30,000 cases of leukemia, 6,000–170,000 bone tumors and 1,000–120,000 major genetic defects per year under most disadvantageous assumptions made in report (on basis tentative figures in current draft).
5. We understand (Deptel 789) Dept feels Belgian draft para for conclusion (para 54, previously 45) best obtainable under circumstances in committee. We should be prepared, however, for probability that conclusion by saying “cessation of contamination of environment by explosion of nuclear weapons (is one of steps that would) act to benefit of human health” will be regarded in and outside UN as calling for test suspension for medical and health reasons.
6. While understand we would be in position to say we were developing bombs which would not contaminate environment [Facsimile Page 3] and that committee recognized factors other than health were relevant to decision, net effect undoubtedly be to increase pressures for test suspension. Nor do we think argument that some radiation danger is acceptable cost for Western defense likely make much progress against emotionalism on this issue, especially as we are regarded as more advanced in atomic field and because most military benefits necessarily not revealed to public. Similar comment would apply to argument pointing out tentative and highly uncertain nature of conclusions in report, to which answer would be any error must be on safe side.
[Typeset Page 1351]7. Comments:
- A.
- If we are making progress toward policy favoring test suspensions, believe it is of overriding importance that we announce this new policy prior to release of report.
- B.
- If we are not we should be prepared with reasonable and constructive response to anticipated reaction which takes fully into account medical and health problems report elucidates.
- Source: U.N. report on effects of atomic radiation. Secret. 3 pp. NARA, RG 59, Central Files, 700.5611/5–1458.↩