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Finding Aids
Epidemiologic Studies
Savannah River Site
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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.
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)
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
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.
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.
The records series have been arranged into the following chapters:
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.
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.
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.
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.
(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.
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