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VELOPMENT ADMINISTRA
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WASHINGTON, D.C. 20545
UNITED STATES

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James L.
Liverman
Assistant Administrator

for Environment and Safety

DOSE COMMITMENT ~ BIKINI RESETTLEMENT
In. June 1975, a detailed radiological survey was conducted of the
two main islands of Bikini Atoll.
This survey was necessary
because:
1.

There were no current radiation exposure estimates for Bikini
Island residents who were returning in increasing numbers.

2.

The Trust Territory government asked for advice relative to
planning construction of additional houses and community
buildings on Bikini Island.

Tentative survey findings were provided to Trust Territory officials
and to the people of Bikini during August and September 1975.
In
brief,

the conclusions were:

l.

With few exceptions, foods grown on Bikini Island should not be
consumed,

2.

Groundwater on Bikini Island should not be used for drinking or
cooking.

3.

Although under the above conditions, residence on Bikini Island
should present no undue risk, it would be prudent and advisable
to plan for the permanent resettlement to shift to Eneu Island,

A draft report containing revised dose projections for Bikini Island
residents based on all available data to date shows that people living
on bikini Island and eating locally available foods will receive whole
body radiation doses in the range of 17 to 29 Rem in 30 years and those
living on Eneu about 5 Rem in 30 years.
These values may be compared
with the current standard of 5 Rem in 30 years.
Furthermore, recent
infomation from Brookhaven's in-vivo measurements of Bikini Island
residents shows average * ‘Cesium body burdens higher by an order of
magnitude than those scen in 1974.
A few individuals are at or above
the maximum permissible body burden of 3 pCi which gives an exposure

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