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 . ‘