au

,

the objective is to achieve a substantial
reduction jin platonium soil concentrations,

and further, to reduce concentrations to
the lowest practicabie level, not to reduce
them to some prescribed numerical value.
(ibid. Emphasis added.)

Nor is it entirely clear who will be making these "case-bycase" decisions.

Presumably it is tne "team of experts" referred

to in the recommendations of the Task Group (Vol. II, Tab B, p. 27),
but we are not told who they are or how they will be selected.
This whole approach must be explained and justified, especialiy at a time when the EPA is conducting hearings around the
country on plutonium soil standards for precisely the purpose of
developing “numerical values" for the maximum concentrations
permissible.

The range between 40: and 400 pci/g is a wide one

indeed and if 40 is too high, then to make decisions on a "“caseby-case" basis within that range is to have no standard at all.
Before any final standards are set for the radiological
Cleanup of Enewetak, the International Commission on Radiological
Protection should be called upon for plutonium and actinide

;

Standards applicable to air, water, soils and food concentrations
for both soluble and insoluble activities, applicable to long-range
“exposure to the genexal public.

Application should also be made

to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for special hearings
for the same purpose.

Consideration should also be given to the

desirability of requesting the United Nations Scientific Committee

on the Effects of Atomic Radiation to conduct hearings and set
these standards.

(We are indebted to Dr. Martell for these

suggestions.)

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