RMI Nuclear Justice Documents

Dr. Hal. Hollister
July 29, 1977
Page 2
eating breadfruit and pandanus.
The returnees were
to eat these food sources.
In addition, measurable
of plutonium have been found in their urine.

told not
traces

Based on these reports and others we have received it is
apparent that attempts to communicate the risks of contamination have been unsuccessful.

Yet,

in the near future,

return-

ng natives will be formally provided with specific instructions and recommendations for avoiding "hot spots" and contaminated
food sources.

From our knowledge of the culture and

life

style

o£ returnees we would predict that many of the recommendations
won't be followed and further complicate the total rehabitation
effort.

Steps must be taken to monitor and assess

the behavioral

reSponse of returnees’ to safety recommendations.
To accomplish
this we would urge ERDA to take the initiative to sponsor a
systematic assessment of

the rehabitation process

including

a specific assessment of the behavioral patterns associated with
adapting and coping with radiological levels.
The assessment would emphasize the behavioral components of
the response to safety standards and relationships with
long-term adjustment over the next four years, the period of
time set aside to complete the rehabitation process.
Certain
behavioral patterns are likely to emerge that are directly
connected with the presence of radiation and knowledge of the
thyroid problems experienced by natives

Utirik.
In

the course of planning

at Rongelap

and conducting the assessment,

number of substantive questions can be raised,
1.

What adjustments

and

and accommodations will be

made by relocatees in response to safety
recommendations?

To what extent will normal

daily life styles be affected?
2.

Can ERDA be assured that relocatees will
fully comprehend the concept of radiation
exposure and the intrinsic rationale for

the imposition of safety instructions and

recommendations?
3.

What sociocultural norms and sanctions, if any,
will emerge that will prevent returnees from
frequenting of €-limit areas and eating con-

taminated food?

a

as follows:

tow will they be enforced?