4O1587
e:
G an,
3
”
Woks‘i be ourtus tee hd Se
Human Affaus Research Centers
4000 NE. 41st Strect
P.O. Box 5395
July 29, 1977
Seatle, Waslingtean $8105
Telephone. (206) 525-3130
CABLE: HARCSEA
Dr. Hal Hollister
Deputy Assistant Administrator
-
Office of the Assistant Administrator
BEST COPY AVAILABLE
for Environment and Safety
Energy Research and Development Administration
Washington,
Subject:
D.C.
20545
Rehabitation of Enewetak and Bikini and Behavioral
Response to Safety Recommendations
Dear Dr. Hollister:
Dr. William J. Bair, Manager of Battelle's Pacific Northwest
Environmental and Safety Research haboratory, strongly recommended that I correspond with you concerning current renhaDitation efforts occurring on the Enewetak and Bikini atolls
in the Marshall Islands.
.Processes and consequences of relocation and rehabitation of
communities, especially culturally diverse groups, have concerned me for some time.
As I emphasized in my enclosed
overview, the culture and life style of relocatees are dra-
“Matically altered,
Wome and work patterns must be adjusted
to accommodate life styles in the new community.
Interpersonal
conflicts typically emerge causing emotional difficulties.
Bdmittedly,
issues of
this kind are complex,
and frankly,
not well understood by social scientists.
The status of
Marshall Island groups on Enewetak and Bikini appears to fit
this pattern and we fully expect long-term adjustment problams
to occur.
Rehabitation of the Marshall Island communities on Enewetak and
Bikini presents unigue difficulties not ordinarily experienced
by people returning
to their homelands.
Specifically,
the
radiation fallout resulting from the 46 different nuclear tests
in the late forties and fifties are introducing problems with
attendant biolegical risks.
Monitoring of radiological levels
by ERDA
indicates
that
“hot spots"
still exist,
Furthermore ;
many forms of existing flera and fauna are considered nonedible
thereby restricting the diet of the natives,
Variable levels of
problems
for
radloactivi.ty have already created some
a smal]. number of Bikiniaas.
Yostks
reveals
that many had increased body burdens of cesium-137 cuune
OS
.
‘