◆ SpookStack

tno seek eae cae a eke ne Me eee ee oe ne en , ) od ¢ s o . 5 “men “went down there and pounded on doors and tables” (St. Paul Pioneer Press, Feb. 7, 1959). These samples of Minnesota wheat grown in 1956-58 showed that the average in all three years was above the maximum folerable level set by the AEC, and that it was more than one and one-half times this level in 1957-58. In one of the ten localities from which samples were taken, the strontium-90 was more than six times the maxi- mum tolerable level, Strangely, this figure was omitted in computing the averages (Dr. Maurice B. Visscher, speaking for Governor's Committee, Feb, 6, 1959). atss? A high level of strontium-90 in bread and flour is to be expected from the foregoing. AEC figures showing that in some cases this level exceeds its own ‘maximum permissible concentration” (which it had just arbitrarily reised) were given by staff reporter Edward Gamarekian in the Washington Post, May 7, 1959. Indeed, strontium-90 is now present in all that we eat and drink. Dr. Ralph Lapp, author of sev- eral books on the effects of radiation, says there is wreave sonecern i Waeachi grave concern in Washington, D.C, over the current effecis of radioactivity: “This is not concern over the threat of some future disaster. It’s the possible danger existing right now .. . You can’t eat any calcium-containing food in this country today without consuming a dose of strontium-90” (UPI release from Chicago in Aberdecn (Washington) World, March 11, 1939). A government scientist testified last spring that radioactive strontium in human bones will in- crease 14 times in the next several years, even Ij there are no more weapons tests (UPI from Wash- ington, May 6, 1959). Yet AEC demands more! Of course, this would increasingly multiply the contamination — Dr, Jay Orear wrote me last March, “Over the last few years the rate of esting has about doubled each year. Hf this trend should continue, in five more years our rate of testing will be 32 times the present raic.” The Peaceful Atom Has lis Dangers At the dawn of the atomic age we were given glowing prophecies in regard to the possibilities of atomic industrial power, aud most of us remain undeceived on this. The result is that many excel- lent and generally well-informed people have been passing resolutions for speeding the development of this power who are unawere that it is a major stumbling block te disarinament, a very uncco- nomic proccss, and 4 scricus menace to mental and physical health,