Organized Collections
Committees on Biological Effects of Atomic Radiation, 1954-1964
The mission of the Committees on The Biological Effects of Atomic Radiation (BEAR) was to provide a thorough review of all that was known at the time about the effects of atomic radiation on living organisms. The Committees on BEAR had been put together in 1955 by then-NAS president Detlev Bronk in response to the increasing but uncoordinated accumulation of data on the effects of atomic radiation.
Six committees were formed to investigate various problems arising from the release or presence of radiation in the environment. These committees were: Pathologic Effects of Atomic Radiation (with various subcommittees); Meteorological Aspects of the Effects of Atomic Radiation; Effects of Atomic Radiation on Agriculture and Food Supplies; Disposal and Dispersal of Radioactive Wastes; and Oceanography and Fisheries. A number of reports, including two summary reports, the first released in 1956 and second released in 1960, were published by the various BEAR committees and subcommittees before the study was terminated in 1964.
The studies conducted by the Committees on BEAR did not overlap with the studies conducted by the Atomic Bomb Casualty Commission.
The Papers of the Committees on Biological Effects of Atomic Radiation contain correspondence, reports, and meeting minutes, and cover the years 1954-1964 for a span of 6 linear feet.
INDEX to the Records of the Committees on the Biological Effects of Atomic Radiation
COMMITTEES & Boards
Committees on Biological Effects of Atomic Radiation
Agriculture & Food Supplies
- Behavior of Radioactive Fallout in Soils & Plants: 1962-1963
- Impact of Massive Radioactive Fallout on Production & Utilization of Agricultural Crops: 1962-1963
- General: 1962-1964
Continuation of Program: 1962
Cooperation with Other Organizations
- US Congress Jt Committee on Atomic Energy: 1962-1963
Genetic: 1962-1964
Health Implications of Fallout from Nuclear Weapons Testing
- through 1961: 1962
Meetings: Chairmen of BEAR Committees: 1962
Meteorological: 1962-1964
Pathologic
- Meetings: 1963
- Subcommittee on Hematology: 1962-1963
- Subcommittee on Inhalation Hazards: 1962-1964
- Subcommittee on Neuropathology: 1962-1965
- Pathological Effects of Thyroid Irradiation
Report to FRC: 1962
Requests for Support: Rockefeller Foundation: 1962
Reports Distribution: 1962-1963
General: 1962-1963
INSTITUTIONS Associations Individuals
1955-1963
INTERNATIONAL Relations
1955-1960
ORGANIZATION
Activities of NAS & NRC Bearing on Effects of Atomic Radition
- on Living Organisms: 1946-1955
Activities of NAS & NRC Related to Basis & Use
- of Radiation Protection Criteria & Standards: 1960-1962
ORGANIZATION: NAS: Committees on Biological Effects of Atomic Radiation
Agriculture & Food Supplies
- Appointments: 1956
- Behavior of Radioactive Fallout in Soils & Plants: 1956-1961
- Impact of Massive Radioactive Fallout on Production & Utilization of Agricultural Crops: 1959-1961
- Meetings: 1956
- Summary Reports: 1956-1959
- General: 1956-1961
Beginning of Program: 1954-1955
Comments & Inquiries: 1955-1960
Conference on Low-Level & Threshold Effects: 1959
Continuation of Program: 1960-1961
Cooperation with Other Organizations
- American College of Radiology: 1956-1958
- Atomic Energy Commission: 1956-1960
- Department of State: 1955-1957
- Medical Research Council of Great Britain: 1955-1960
- UN Scientific Committee on Effects of Atomic Radiation: 1956-1961
- US Congress Jt Commission on Atomic Energy: 1957-1961
Disposal & Dispersal of Radioactive Wastes
- Appointments: 1955-1956
- Meetings: 1956
- Status Report on Disposal of Radioactive Wastes: 1957-1960
- Subcommittee Reports: Economics of Waste Disposal & Dispersal: 1956
- Issues Requiring Further Study: 1956
- Magnitude of Problem with Growth of Industry: 1956
- Present Status of Dispersal & Disposal of Radioactive Wastes: 1956
- Problem of Accidental Hazards: 1956
- Proposals of Panel on Genetics on Limitations of Radiation Exposure: 1956
- Relation of Nature & Magnitude of Wastes to Fuel Processing & Types of Reactors: 1956
- Technological & Administrative Problems in Transport Use & Disposal of Radioisotopes: 1956
- Weapons Testing & Fallout: 1956
- Summary Reports: 1956-1959
- General: 1956-1961
Effects of Strontium-90
- Articles: 1960
- Background Data: 1959
- Committee Proposed: 1956-1960
- General: 1956-1960
Executive Secretary: 1957-1960
Genetic
- Appointments: 1955
- Background Data: 1954-1957
- Laughlin-Pullman Report: 1955-1957
- Meetings: 1955-1957
- Statement on Needed Research: 1956-1959
- Summary Reports: 1956-1959
- General: 1955-1961
Meetings: Chairmen of BEAR Committees: 1957-1960
Meteorological
- Analysis of Average Balloon-Borne Radioactivity
- Measurements: 1960
- Appointments: 1956
- Meetings: 1956
- Summary Reports: 1956-1959
- General: 1956-1961
Oceanography & Fisheries
- Appointments: 1956
- Cooperation with NRC Com on Oceanography: 1958-1961
- Effects of Atomic Radiation on Oceanography & Fisheries: 1956-1958
- Meetings: 1956
- Summary Reports: 1956-1960
- General: 1956-1961
Offers of Assistance: 1955
Pathologic
- Commentary on Report of UN Scientific Committee on Atomic Radiation: 1958-1959
- Meetings: 1955-1959
- Subcommittee on Hematology: 1955-1961
- Subcommittee on Inhalation Hazards: 1956-1961
- Subcommittee on Internal Emitters: 1955-1961
- Subcommittee on Ionizing Radiation from External Sources: 1956-1961
- Subcommittee on Neuropathology: 1960-1961
- Summary Reports: 1956-1959
- General: 1956-1961
Reports
- Background Data: 1943-1956
- Distribution: 1956-1961
- General: 1956-1958
Requests for Support
- Rockefeller Foundation: 1955-1961
Research Program Proposed: 1957
Summary Reports: Review: 1960
General: 1955-1961
PUBLIC Relations
Press Conferences: 1956-1960
Press Releases: 1955-1960
General: 1955-1962
PUBLICATIONS
Pediatrics
- Supplement on Radiation Hazards: 1957
General: 1955-1962
FINANCE & ACCOUNTING
FINANCE
Funds: Grants
- Rockefeller Foundation: 1955-1962
GOVERNMENT
AGENCIES & Departments
1954-1960
CONGRESS
Committees
- Atomic Energy: Joint: 1957-1963
General: 1957-1959
EXECUTIVE
1959-1963
FOREIGN Governments
1956-1959
INTERNATIONAL Relations
United Nations: 1956-1961
INDEX to Reports of BEAR Committees Collection
ADMINISTRATION
COMMITTEES & Boards
Committees on Biological Effects of Atomic Radiation
Agriculture & Food Supplies
- Behavior of Radioactive Fallout in Soils & Plants: 1963
Continuation of Program: 1962
Pathologic
- Subcommittee on Hematology Summary Report: 1963
Pathological Effects of Thyroid Irradiation
- Report to Federal Radiation Council: 1962
INSTITUTIONS Associations Individuals
American College of Radiology
- Practical Manual on Medical & Dental Use of X-Rays with Control of Radiation Hazards: 1958
INTERNATIONAL Relations
Academies & Councils Abroad
- Medical Research Council of Great Britain Statement on Report of UN Scientific Committee on Effects of Atomic Radiation: 1958
Institutions Associations Individuals Abroad
- Atomic Scientists Assoc of Great Britain Statement on Strontium Hazards: 1957
- International Commission on Radiological Protection Report: 1960
- International Commission on Radiological Units & Measurement: Report: 1960
ORGANIZATION: NAS: Committees on Biological Effects of Atomic Radiation
Disposal & Dispersal of Radioactive Wastes
- Disposal of Radioactive Wastes: Status Report: 1958
Genetic Effects
- Physical Properties of Ionizing Radiation: 1956
- Section II: Gonadal Dose Received from Natural Background Radiation: 1957
- Section III: Gonadal Dose from Medical Use of X-Rays: 1957
Oceanography & Fisheries
- Effects of Atomic Radiation on Oceanography & Fisheries: 1957
- Radioactive Waste Disposal from Nuclear-Powered Ships: 1959
Pathologic Effects
- Commentary on Report of UN Scientific Committee on Atomic Radiation: 1959
- Pathological Effects of Thyroid Irradiation: 1962
- Subcommittee on Hematology Report: 1961
- Subcommittee on Inhalation Hazards Report: 1961
- Subcommittee on Internal Emitters Report: 1961
- Subcommittee on Ionizing Radiation from External Sources Report: 1961
- Summary Report: Pathological Effects of Atomic Radiation: 1956
Summary Reports: Biological Effects of Atomic Radiation
- Report to Public: 1956; 1960
- Summary Report: 1956; 1960
GOVERNMENT
AGENCIES & Departments
Agriculture
- Defense Against Fallout on Farm: 1956
Atomic Energy Commission
- Analysis of Stratospheric Strontium-90 Measurements: 1959
- Annotated Bibliography on Transport & Disposition of Atomic Debris: 1956
- AEC Atmospheric Radioactivity Studies: 1959
- Effects of Nuclear Weapons Testing: 1955
- Evaluation of Ground-Level Sampling Program: 1958
- Latest Stratospheric Fallout Results Particularly on Russian October Series: 1959
- Naturally Occurring Radioactive Substances & Radiation Doses: 1954
- Radioactive Contamination of Certain Areas in Pacific Ocean from Nuclear Testing: 1957
- Relationship between Geologic Environment & Mortality from Congenital Malformation: 1959
- Statements: 1955-1959
- Stratospheric Radioactivity Measurements: 1959
- US Sea Disposal Operations: 1957
Commerce
- Radioactive Waste Disposal in Ocean: 1954
EXECUTIVE
Federal Radiation Council
- Background Material for Development of Radiation Protection Standards: 1960-1961
- Estimates & Evaluation of Fallout in US from Nuclear Weapons Testing Conducted through 1962-1963
- Health Implications of Fallout from Nuclear Weapons Testing through 1961-1962
FOREIGN Governments
Great Britain: Atomic Energy Research Establishment
- Radiological Dose to Persons in UK Due to Debris from Nuclear Test Explosions Prior to Jan 1958; 1956
INTERNATIONAL Relations
UN Scientific Committee on Effects of Atomic Radiation
- Effects of Atomic Radiation: 1958
- Report of US Delegation: 1957
UN World Health Organization
- Effects of Radiation on Human Heredity: 1957
