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Epidemiologic Studies

Savannah River Site

HEALTH PROTECTION AT THE SAVANNAH RIVER SITE:
A GUIDE TO RECORDS SERIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

INTRODUCTION

Overview

As part of the Department of Energy's (DOE) Epidemiologic Records Inventory Project, History Associates Incorporated (HAI) prepared this guide to the records series pertaining to health protection activities at the DOE's Savannah River Site (SRS). Since its inception in the early 1950s, the SRS, formerly known as the Savannah River Plant (SRP), has demonstrated significant interest in safeguarding facilities, protecting employees' health, and monitoring the environment. The guide describes records that concern health protection program administration, radiological monitoring of the plant and the environment, calibration and maintenance of monitoring instruments, internal and external dosimetry practices, medical surveillance of employees, occupational safety and training measures, site visitation, and electronic information systems.

The introduction to the guide describes the Epidemiologic Records Inventory Project and HAI's role in the project. It provides brief histories of the DOE, SRS, and the SRS organizational units responsible for health protection activities. The introduction also summarizes HAI's methodology in developing criteria and conducting its verification of the SRS inventory of active and inactive SRS Health Protection records. Furthermore, it furnishes information on the production of the guide, the content of the records series descriptions, the location of the records, and the procedures for accessing records repositories.

Epidemiologic Records Inventory Project

The Epidemiologic Records Inventory Project is indicative of DOE Secretary Hazel O'Leary's efforts to support openness initiatives in the areas of environment, safety, and health. In view of the importance of various administrative, organizational, and operational records to epidemiologic and health-related studies, a moratorium on the destruction of such records has been in effect since 1989.

In May 1992, each DOE and DOE contractor site was directed to conduct an inventory of all records useful for worker or community health-related studies. The Office of Epidemiologic Studies (EH-62) is responsible for the coordination of all health-related activities throughout the DOE complex and provided each site with guidelines that defined epidemiologic records, provided instructions for describing and inventorying records series, outlined the sites' role in inventorying epidemiologic records, and discussed the relationship of the epidemiologic inventory to DOE's comprehensive records inventory effort.

Role of HAI

In August of 1993, DOE selected HAI as its support services contractor for the Epidemiologic Records Inventory Project. HAI, a professional records management, archives, and historical research services firm incorporated in 1981, has provided records management, historical research, and technical support for a number of DOE projects. HAI's role in the project includes verifying the accuracy, comprehensiveness, and quality of existing inventories, providing guidance to site records management teams, and, in some cases, performing additional records inventories.

BACKGROUND

History of the DOE

The DOE is responsible for developing and administering national energy programs and policies. Authorized by Congress in 1977, the history of the department's predecessor agencies and functions dates back to 1942, with the establishment of the Manhattan Engineer District (MED) of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The MED spearheaded the development and manufacture of the first atomic weapons during World War II. In 1946, Congress passed the Atomic Energy Act, which reorganized the MED into the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC). Although the primary purpose of the AEC was to develop and manage the nation's expanding nuclear weapons production complex, the organization also reflected the nation's interest in developing broader commercial applications of atomic energy.(1)

For nearly three decades, the AEC directed the nation's nuclear program, from the development of nuclear weapons to the production of nuclear power. In 1974, Congress passed the Energy Reorganization Act, which split the AEC into the Energy Research and Development Administration (ERDA) and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). ERDA assumed responsibility for nuclear research and development and oversight of the nuclear weapons program, while the NRC licensed and regulated the industrial and commercial use of radionuclides and nuclear power. ERDA also took charge of the energy research and development programs of other federal agencies, including the Bureau of Mines, National Science Foundation, and the Interior Department's Office of Coal Research. The creation of ERDA represented the Nixon Administration's interest in establishing a centrally directed national energy policy. Events such as the 1973 Arab oil embargo and the 1973-1974 price increases instituted by OPEC [Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries] demonstrated the need to identify immediate energy needs and priorities and establish long range goals as a way to lessen the nation's dependency on foreign sources of energy.(2)

A shortage of natural gas during the winter of 1976-1977 further exposed the nation's vulnerability as an energy consumer. In response to the crisis, the Carter Administration urged Congress to reorganize ERDA and establish a cabinet-level organization to direct national energy policy. In August 1977, President Carter signed legislation creating the DOE. During the late 1980s, as Cold War tensions eased, the DOE restructured its priorities around nuclear waste management, environmental restoration, conservation, and the development of new energy sources.(3)

History of the Savannah River Site

Following the successful detonation of a conventional atomic weapon by the Soviet Union in September 1949, the United States decided to intensify its efforts to develop thermonuclear weapons. Fundamental to the development of these weapons, which derived their explosive force from the fusion of hydrogen atoms, was the manufacture of tritium, a radioactive hydrogen isotope that increased the weapons' destructive capacity. In October 1950, the AEC selected E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company (DuPont) as the operating contractor for a new complex of reactors to produce tritium and other thermonuclear weapon materials. DuPont selected a 325 square mile tract of land, 13 miles south of Aiken, South Carolina, along the Savannah River, as the site of the new production reactor complex. In late November 1950, the AEC approved DuPont's site selection and, in February 1951, DuPont commenced construction on the SRP.(4)

SRS operated as a production facility from the mid-1950s to the late-1980s. By 1955, DuPont had completed construction of, and brought on-line, five production reactors, designated by the letters C, K, L, P, and R. Construction progressed during the following year with the completion of a heavy water extraction plant, two chemical separation plants, a nuclear fuel and target fabrication test facility, laboratory, and several waste management facilities. SRS produced nuclear materials until the late 1980s. By then, the SRS reactors either had been shutdown permanently or placed on cold standby. In 1992, DOE determined that new supplies of tritium would not be required until 2005. Since it would take twelve to fourteen years to bring a proposed new production reactor on-line, the agency planned to restart K reactor in 1993.(5) However, due to the changing political climate and shifting defense priorities, restart of K reactor did not occur.

Contractor Organization

DuPont served as the prime operating contractor of the SRP from 1950 to 1989. Unlike other AEC contractors, DuPont did not establish a subsidiary company to administer its nuclear sites, but rather formed a separate administrative division. The company established the Atomic Energy Division (AED) to administer the SRP from its corporate headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware. In 1989, the Westinghouse Savannah River Company (WSRC), a subsidiary of Westinghouse, Inc., replaced DuPont as the prime operating contractor at SRS. Upon the arrival of WSRC, the facility was renamed the Savannah River Site. Current contracts require strict adherence to all DOE and other federal standards and orders. DOE and its predecessor agencies have maintained oversight responsibility for the site through the Savannah River Operations Office (SRO).(6) Site security services are currently provided by Wackenhut Services, Inc. (WSI).

Health Protection Organization

In June 1951, SRP established the Health Instrument Group to gather baseline data concerning radiological releases into the environment. The following year witnessed the reorganization of the group into the Health Physics Section of the Works Technical Department. At that time, Health Physics began working closely with the Medical Department in monitoring the exposure of the SRS work force to radiation. In recognition of its growing role in the nonradioactive aspects of occupational health and safety, the Section become known as the Health Protection Department in 1979. Under the initial reorganization of the site by WSRC in 1989, the Health Protection and Medical Departments were placed under the Environment, Safety, and Health Division (ESH). In 1990, ESH became known as the Environment, Safety, Health, and Quality Assurance Division (ESH&QA). In that year, the Industrial Hygiene and Respiratory Protection Section of the newly formed Occupational Safety and Hygiene Department of ESH&QA became responsible for the nonradiological monitoring functions of Health Protection. In 1992, Health Protection became the Radiological Control and Health Physics Department, within which the Health Physics Technology Section conducts internal and external dosimetry. Finally, the Medical Department became a division separate from ESH&QA in 1995.(7) For the purposes of this guide, HAI has collectively identified these units as the Health Protection Organization.

From the beginning, SRS health protection activities have emphasized the prevention of exposure to radiation and other chemical and physical hazards, accidents, and injuries. Protective measures exercised at the plant included the placement of physical barriers to shield employees from radioactive materials and the use of protective garments and other accouterments. The Health Protection Organization has monitored external radiation with film badges, thermoluminescent dosimeters, and thermoluminescent neutron dosimeters. Monitoring for internal radiation exposure was performed by routine urinalyses. Each employee, as part of the health protection program, also received a periodic physical examination, which included blood chemistry analysis, an electrocardiogram, and a chest X-ray. Subsequently, each employee received a comprehensive report of the results of their physical examination and radiation exposure history.(8)

ACCESS

The records series described in this guide pertain to both active and inactive records located in various onsite and offsite repositories and offices. Although most of these records series are unclassified, those which contain personal identifying information about SRS employees and visitors are restricted in accordance with the Privacy Act of 1982. A small portion of the records series are classified to the level of Secret/Restricted Data (S/RD) and, therefore, require a DOE "Q" clearance for review. Moreover, either a DOE "L" or "Q" clearance is required to enter the security-controlled areas of SRS, in which many of the records are stored. Other constraints may also apply to the review of records at other repositories. Please consult each repository for specific guidance.

Onsite Records

HAI examined inactive records in several SRS records holding areas, specifically those in Buildings 713A and 773-52A and the Building 703A B-Wing vault. Buildings 773-52A and 703A are located in security-controlled areas, and Building 713A is located in an access-controlled area. Although records stored in Buildings 713A and 773-52A are unclassified, those stored in the 703A B-Wing vault are classified S/RD. A number of the onsite records are in systems of records covered by the Privacy Act. Verification of active records and electronic information systems took place in Health Protection Department, Medical Division, and Occupational Safety and Hygiene Department offices throughout the site.

For information on gaining access to these records, please contact:

DOE-SRS Records Officer
Office of Program Support and Federal Human Services
DOE-SRO
P.O. Box A
Aiken, South Carolina 29802
Tel: 803-725-1055

Offsite Records

Washington National Records Center

The Washington National Records Center (WNRC) is an access-controlled facility in Suitland, Maryland. Although most of the records series stored in this facility are unclassified, a few are classified S/RD, and a DOE "Q" clearance is required for review.

For permission to review DOE records at the WNRC, please contact:

U.S. Department of Energy
ATTN: Office of Information Management, HR-424
19901 Germantown Road
Germantown, Maryland 20874-1299
Tel: 301-903-3524

For information on the WNRC, please contact:

Washington National Records Center
4205 Suitland Road
Washington, DC 20409
Tel: 301-457-7010

Atlanta Federal Records Center

The Atlanta Federal Records Center (AFRC) is an access-controlled facility in East Point, Georgia. Although SRS records stored there are unclassified, records that contain personal identifying information are considered a Privacy Act System of Records.

For more information on gaining access to SRS records held by the AFRC, please contact:

DOE-SRS Records Officer
Office of Program Support and Federal Human Services
DOE-SRO
P.O. Box A
Aiken, South Carolina 29802
Tel: 803-725-1055

For information on the use of the AFRC, please contact:

Atlanta Federal Records Center
1557 St. Joseph Avenue
East Point, Georgia 30344
Tel: 404-763-7651

National Archives

The National Archives at College Park, Maryland (Archives-II), is an access-controlled facility. Although most of the records series stored in this facility are unclassified, a few are classified S/RD, and a DOE "Q" clearance is required to examine them.

For information on accessing SRS records at Archives-II, please contact:

Archivists Office
Textual Civil Reference Branch
National Archives at College Park
8601 Adelphi Road
College Park, Maryland 20740-6001
Tel: 301-457-7250

Hagley Museum and Library The Hagley Museum and Library (Hagley) in Wilmington, Delaware, houses the DuPont corporate archives and manuscripts, which include records created by the AED at SRS and Hanford, Washington. Although these records are unclassified, their use is restricted by a 25 year time seal. Researchers, however, may receive authorization to review these records from the DOE-SRS Records Officer.

For additional information on accessing the records located at the Hagley, please contact:

Hagley Museum and Library
Manuscripts and Archives Division
P.O. Box 3630
Wilmington, Delaware 19897
Tel: 302-658-2400

METHODOLOGY

Background Research

Once tasked by EH-62 to verify SRS' inventory of health protection records and produce a guide to them, HAI conducted extensive research on the organizational and operational history of SRS, with an emphasis on health physics, industrial hygiene, occupational safety, medical surveillance, and environmental monitoring. HAI placed SRS within the broader political, scientific, and technological developments in the United States' nuclear weapons complex since the beginning of the Cold War by consulting the standard histories of the DOE and its predecessor agencies. For the history of SRS itself, HAI examined several studies of the site, which provided insight into the development of its health protection measures. HAI also inspected the research files of the Historic Incidents Database at the DOE Headquarters in Germantown, Maryland, for notable nuclear and radiological incidents that potentially compromised the health and safety of the SRS work force or surrounding communities.(9)

Preliminary Inventories

As part of its preparation for onsite work at SRS, HAI searched several local repositories for records pertaining to the SRS Health Protection Organization and functions. These institutions included Archives-II, WNRC, and the Hagley Museum. At Archives-II, HAI identified and examined 11 cubic feet of records pertaining to SRS from the Records of the Atomic Energy Commission (Record Group 326). These records, which pertained to site selection, land acquisition, and operations, contained none applicable to health protection. A review of 160 cubic feet of AEC, ERDA, and DOE records at the WNRC, however, revealed four cubic feet of records series concerning radiation releases to the environment and various reports of exposures and injuries at SRS. From the Hagley Records Inventory, HAI selected 61 cubic feet of records for review, and described 26 cubic feet of records pertaining to the SRS Health Protection Organization.(10)

Planning Trip to SRS

On March 27, 1995, HAI visited SRS to discuss the proposed project with DOE, WSRC, and WSI records managers. As a result of this meeting, HAI and the SRS records managers established a work plan for the records verification process and a timeframe for its completion. They also agreed upon procedures for physical access to the records and review of inventory worksheets by classification officers. SRS records managers agreed to furnish HAI with copies of their active and inactive records inventory worksheets for analysis and selection of records for review. HAI also met with the Director of the Medical Department and the Medical Records Administrator to establish a protocol for reviewing medical records with respect to DOE Privacy Act issues and constraints. HAI received an overview of the site's records management practices, inspected the records holding areas, reviewed selected records, and toured site grounds.

Analysis of SRS Records Inventory

After the March planning trip, the DOE-SRS Records Officer sent the records inventory worksheets created by DOE and WSRC to HAI. These forms represented inactive records located in onsite holding areas and vaults and active records located in offices throughout the site. In all, HAI received 337 inventory worksheets, of which 162 pertained to inactive records series and 165 applied to active records series. Of these, 142 inactive records inventory worksheets and 20 active inventory worksheets actually applied to Health Protection records. These inventory sheets represented approximately 14,508 cubic feet of inactive records and 3,620 cubic feet of active records.

HAI analyzed the SRS records inventory worksheets to establish criteria for verifying the inventory of Health Protection records. HAI formulated criteria according to the type of information provided about the records. DOE and WSRC records managers used the records inventory worksheet developed by DOE for the epidemiologic and health records inventory (DOE F 1324.13). This form consisted of 15 data fields for records series title, narrative records series description, inclusive dates, volume, classification, location, and data elements. WSI used a variation of this form, providing the same information in 11 data fields.

As part of its verification of SRS' inventory of epidemiologic records, HAI developed a records inventory worksheet to capture additional descriptive and identifying information. In addition to the data fields of the DOE form, the HAI form included data fields for accession or other identification numbers, quantity and type of containers, container number, record medium, duplication, scanning suitability, condition, arrangement, and availability of finding aids. By physically examining the contents of each container during the verification process, HAI collected the information lacking on the DOE inventory worksheet, determined the appropriate records series, and provided a complete narrative description of each records series for the guide.

Onsite Verification

Inactive Records

During May and June 1995, HAI conducted the verification of the SRS health protection records. In May, HAI completed the verification of inactive records inventories in the Building 703A B-Wing Vault and began the verification in the Central Records Facility in Building 773-52A and Building 713A. In June, HAI completed the verification of 3,000 cubic feet of inactive records in the records holding areas.

Active Records

In May, HAI began the verification of active records, by examining 71 cubic feet of records related to health protection, training, and safety at WSI. HAI resumed the verification of active records in June, by examining 1,961 cubic feet of textual records, 40 drawers of microfilm, 139.5 cubic feet of X-rays, and 320 trays of minimizations of X-rays. These records are located in the Health Protection Department, Medical Division, and Occupational Safety and Hygiene Department offices throughout the site.

Electronic Information Systems

In June, HAI inventoried 14 electronic information systems pertaining to the Health Protection Organization. These systems pertain to records management, exposure of employees and visitors to radiation and nonradiological contaminants, hazardous working conditions, employee medical information, and general personnel data. These electronic information systems are located in the Radiological Control and Health Physics Department, Medical Division, and Occupational Safety and Hygiene Department, and Records Management offices throughout the site.

AFRC Inventory

In August, HAI conducted a verification of inactive SRS health protection records at the AFRC. Radiological Assessment Corporation (RAC) inventoried these records as part of Phase I of the SRS Dose Reconstruction in 1994. RAC included the results of this inventory in a document level database of records, maintained by SRS, that would be relevant to a dose reconstruction. HAI consulted the RAC database, as well as the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) Accession Number Master List (01) and Records Transmittal and Receipt (SF-135), to identify records for verification. HAI examined 2,148 cubic feet of textual records and recorded the accession and container numbers and other identifying information of 1,040.78 cubic feet of human X-rays.

Production of the Guide

In May, following the first onsite verification trip, HAI started to produce the guide to the SRS health protection records. HAI analyzed and organized inventory forms into records series and began to develop detailed narrative series descriptions. Following the second onsite verification trip in June and the verification trip to the AFRC in August, HAI continued the analysis of inventory forms and either composed new records series, or augmented the existing records series with new information.

Data Elements

In accordance with the guidelines in Information Required by the Department of Energy for Epidemiologic and Health Studies, DOE developed a list of 123 (later revised to 86) data elements to assign to records series descriptions. In general, the data elements consist of terms pertaining to contractor organizations, individual employees, industrial hygiene activities, and facility characteristics that help describe the major information contained in a records series. The HAI team, as part of its inventory and description of records, determined which data elements were pertinent to each records series for both active and inactive records. A list of the data elements is included in Appendix A. Please note that the list is arranged topically, not numerically.

SCOPE

This guide reflects the status of records series as of August 1995, when HAI completed its verification of the onsite and offsite inventories of SRS health protection records. It contains descriptions for inactive records series stored in the SRS records holding areas, Hagley, AFRC, and WNRC. Moreover, the guide provides information on relevant active records and electronic information systems at SRS.

ARRANGEMENT

The records series have been arranged into the following chapters:

Chapter I: Administration

This chapter consists of records series pertaining to the administration of the SRS Health Protection Organization. Records include correspondence, memoranda, monthly and weekly reports, and other administrative documents.

Chapter II: Calibrations & Instruments

Health Protection Organization personnel use many kinds of instruments in monitoring activities. This chapter consists of records series pertaining to the routine calibration and maintenance of instruments such as scanners, scalers, sources, and dosimeters.

Chapter III: Incidents & Occurrences

Despite measures to safeguard the workplace, incidents may occur that compromise those efforts, resulting in the contamination of facilities and personal injury. These records series pertain to the documentation of illnesses, injuries, incidents, and similar occurrences at SRS.

Chapter IV: Medical

Medical records are maintained on current and former SRS employees. This chapter describes records series consisting of individual medical case files, X-rays, and physical fitness files.

Chapter V: Personal Dosimetry

SRS workers, especially those employed during the peak production decades of the 1950s and 1960s, have been exposed to various levels of radiation. These records series pertain to the monitoring of personnel exposure through the use of film badges, dosimeters, thermoluminescent dosimeters, and neutron badges and dosimeters. Bioassay results are also included in this chapter.

Chapter VI: Safety and Training

SRS employees receive training in measures to promote occupational safety and health, especially with regard to handling hazardous nuclear and nonnuclear materials and working in high radiation areas. This chapter consists of records series pertaining to those training measures and practices related to occupational safety.

Chapter VII: Visitors

Each year, SRS is visited by hundreds of individuals who must comply with DOE regulations regarding the wearing of security badges and radiation dosimeters. These records series pertain to the assignment of dosimeters and badges to visitors and the collection of radiation exposure data.

Chapter VIII: Workplace/Environmental Monitoring

Monitoring radioactive and nonradioactive materials throughout the workplace and onsite environment at SRS has always been an important function of the SRS Health Protection Organization. This chapter consists of records series pertaining to monitoring radiation in air, soil, and water samples; chemicals; physical hazards; and stack effluents. Permits and logs that authorize and record maintenance and other tasks performed in high radiation areas are included in this chapter as well.

Chapter IX: Electronic Information Systems

Information pertaining to personnel, medical examinations, radiation exposure, instrument and source calibration, and material inventory is maintained on computer databases throughout SRS. This chapter provides descriptions of those electronic information systems.

DATA ITEMS IN RECORDS SERIES DESCRIPTIONS

Due to the differences between textual and electronic records, HAI collected different data for each record format. Below are listed the data items, with corresponding explanations, included in textual records series descriptions. A similar list for electronic information systems descriptions is also provided.

Records Series Descriptions

Series descriptions for textual and audiovisual records contain sixteen major data items. These include series title, inclusive dates, location, active or inactive status, access restrictions, accession or other identification number, volume, and container numbers. Also provided is information concerning the type of media used, suitability of the records for scanning, physical condition of the records, availability of finding aids, record arrangement, the originating office, duplication, and disposition authority.
Data items are listed alphabetically and further explained below:

Access Restrictions

Although most of the records described in this guide are unclassified, a small portion of them are classified S/RD for national security reasons. Medical and other employee records containing personal information are protected under a DOE Privacy Act System of Records and may not be available for public inspection. Researchers may request access to the records, however, under the Freedom of Information Act.

Accession/Other Identification Number

When available, HAI has furnished accession or series numbers. Long lists of accession numbers are placed after the data elements in the record series description.

Arrangement

The arrangement of the records series, for example, chronological, alphabetical, or subject, is described when possible.

Condition

HAI judged the physical condition of records series, categorizing them as either good, fair, or poor. Records are rated poor when they contain aged and faded typewritten originals or photocopies, illegible and faded handwritten copies, or badly torn or damaged documents. Records are rated fair when documents are older, but are not too damaged or faded to be read or viewed clearly. Records are rated good when they contain current photocopies, well-kept originals on quality paper, and clear, dark print copies.

Container Number

In this field, HAI has provided the bin number assigned to specific shelving locations in records holdings areas. Long lists of container numbers are placed after the data elements in the record series description.

Data Elements

The data elements that HAI considered pertinent to the records series are listed in numerical order. The numbers correspond to the data elements list.

Disposition Authority

SRS Health Protection records have been scheduled according to the retention periods in the NARA General Records Schedules (GRS) and DOERS, although a moratorium on the destruction of records relevant to epidemiologic and health-related studies has been in effect since 1989. The retention schedule citations listed under the disposition authority heading are those that have been assigned to the records by SRS records management. When multiple series were stored in one container, SRS assigned the disposition authority based on the series with the longest retention. At the present time, DOE is revising the DOERS.

Duplication

Some records may exist elsewhere in a duplicate form, such as on magnetic tape or a database file. If the exact location of the duplication is known, HAI has provided this information. For all other cases, "unknown" has been used.

Finding Aids

HAI provided information as to whether an index or other reference guide, called a "finding aid," exists for each records series.

Location

Information on the physical location of the records series and an indication of the records' status (as active or inactive) are found here. Active records are necessary for conducting the current business of an office and, as such, must be maintained in office space. Inactive records may be housed in temporary storage facilities until they are either destroyed or sent to NARA for permanent retention. HAI has indicated the custodial office abbreviation and room number where records are currently being stored.

Medium

The physical nature of the records, such as paper, microfiche, or microfilm, is noted.

Originating Office

Although HAI provided the name of the Department that originally created the records (e.g., Health Physics, Health Protection, or Radiological Control and Health Physics), researchers should be aware that the Department that created the records may not be the entity that currently controls access to them. Access to the records is controlled by the office in whose custody the records presently reside.

Scanning Suitability

HAI indicated when records are suitable or not suitable for scanning. In instances where records are not clearly suitable, HAI has provided descriptions of the materials that may prove problematic for some scanners. This statement may not be accurate in the future as the state-of-the-art in scanning technology continues to evolve. See Appendix B for guidelines used by HAI to determine scanning suitability.

Series Description

The series description provides, in a narrative format, essential information concerning the content of the records, the reasons for their creation, and the manner in which they were used.

Title and Inclusive Dates

Each records series description begins with a title that reflects the broad content of the records series as well as the inclusive dates. HAI, whenever possible, used the descriptive titles given by their creators. When descriptive or accurate titles were not provided, HAI assigned appropriate titles.

Volume

The approximate volume of the records series is provided in cubic feet.

Electronic Information Systems Descriptions

The electronic information systems descriptions contain ten major data items, some of which are the same as, or similar to, those in the records series descriptions. These include file type, file name, location, tape number, access restriction, name of the originating office, and disposition authority. Also included are data items pertaining to characteristics unique to electronic record format, including file type, hardware/software used to support the file, and name of office/program supported.

Data items are listed alphabetically and further explained below.

Access Restrictions

Please refer to the information provided under this heading for textual records.

Data Elements

The data elements that HAI considered pertinent to the records series are listed in numerical order. The numbers correspond to the data elements list.

Disposition Authority

Although a moratorium on the destruction of records relevant to epidemiologic and health-related studies has been in effect since 1989. SRS health protection records have been scheduled according to the GRS and DOERS.

Hardware/Software

HAI has provided names of the hardware and software used to support the electronic files.

Location

Information on the physical location of the files and an indication of their status, active or inactive, are found here. Records are listed first by custodial office abbreviation, thereafter by room number.

Location of Codebooks and Manuals

The building and room number housing this information, if known, is provided.

Location of Storage Media

The building and room number housing this information, if known, is provided.

Office/Program Supported

This is the office or program that used the files for epidemiologic studies or other purposes.

System Description

The system description provides, in a narrative format, essential information concerning the content of electronic files. Other data includes the number of records, variables in the files, and purpose of the files.

Title and Inclusive Dates

Each electronic information system description begins with a title that reflects the broad content of the system as well as the inclusive dates. HAI, whenever possible, used the title given to the system by the office of program supporting the system. When the official title was not available, HAI developed an appropriate one that reflected the kind of information contained in the system and its use.

NOTES

(1). Richard G. Hewlett and Oscar E. Anderson, A History of the United States Atomic Energy Commission, vol. 1, The New World, 1939-1946 (University Park: Pennsylvania State University Press, 1962); Hewlett and Francis Duncan, A History of the Atomic Energy Commission, vol. 2, Atomic Shield, 1947-1952 (University Park: Pennsylvania State University Press, 1969); Vincent C. Jones, Manhattan: The Army and the Atomic Bomb (Washington, DC: U.S. Army Center for Military History, 1984); Richard Rhodes, The Making of the Atomic Bomb (New York: Simon and Schuster, 1986); and Rhodes, Dark Sun: The Making of the Hydrogen Bomb (New York: Simon and Schuster, 1995).

(2). Hewlett and Jack M. Holl, A History of the United States Atomic Energy Commission, Vol. 3, Atoms for Peace and War: Eisenhower and the Atomic Energy Commission, 1953-1961 (Berkeley: University of California Press, 1989); Hewlett and B. J. Dierenfield, The Federal Role and Activities in Energy Research and Development, 1946-1980: An Historical Summary (Oak Ridge: Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 1983).

(3). Terrence R. Fehner and Holl, The United States Department of Energy: An Historical Summary, 1977-1994 (Washington, DC: United States Department of Energy, History Division, 1994).

(4). William P. Bebbington, History of Du Pont at the Savannah River Plant (Wilmington, DE: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, 1990), 2-14; W. F. Burgess, J. A. McCormick, and E. Pingitore, History of the Weapons Complex: The Methods of Site Selection, prepared by History Associates Incorporated for the USDOE (21 September 1987), 22-23; E. K. Dukes, The Savannah River Plant Environment, prepared by the E.I. du Pont de Nemours Company, Savannah River Laboratory, Aiken, SC, for the USDOE (1983), 2-1-2; and Hewlett and Duncan, Atomic Shield, 531.

(5). Mary Ellen Bates and Kathryn G. Norseth, Site History of Savannah River, prepared by History Associates Incorporated for the USDOE (January 1993), 6-7; Bebbington, 17-73; Dukes, 3-1-6.

(6). Bates and Norseth, 6.

(7). Telephone interview with Edward Kvartek, Office of External Dosimetry, Health Physics Technology Section, Radiological Control and Health Physics Department, Environmental, Safety, Health, and Quality Assurance, SRS, September 7, 1995; Bebbington, 166-167; Dukes, 10-1-2.

(8). Bebbington, 179-182.

(9). For histories of the development of nuclear energy and weaponry in the United States, see Hewlett and Anderson, The New World; Hewlett and Duncan, Atomic Shield; Hewlett and Holl, Atoms for Peace and War; Jones, Manhattan; Rhodes, Making of the Atomic Bomb, and Rhodes, Dark Sun. For studies of SRS, see Bates and Norseth, Site History of Savannah River; Bebbington, History of Du Pont; Burgess, et. al., History of the Weapons Complex; Dukes, The Savannah River Plant Environment; and DOE/EH-0133, Tiger Team Assessment of the Savannah River Site, (June 1990) vol. 1. For the Historical Incident Database Collection, contact the History Division, Department of Energy, Germantown, Maryland.

(10). At Archives-II, HAI consulted finding aids for the Records of the Atomic Energy Commission (RG 326), Records of the Energy Research and Development Agency (RG 430), and Records of the Department of Energy (RG 434). HAI examined the Master List (O-1 List) and NARA Standard Form 135 to select records at the WNRC. For the Hagley, see Atomic Energy Division Records. E. I. du Pont Nemours and Company, Inc. Inventory compiled by the Hagley Museum and Library, Greenville, Delaware, and submitted to the United States Department of Energy, December 15, 1989.