The potential health hazard via the The island of YVONNE presents a unique hazard on Enewetak Atoll, Pure plu- tonium particles are present on or closeto to dictate two basic alternatives for “hot spots” over most of the area fromthe tower to CACTUS crater. Examination of the entire island an exclusionarea — off of occasional milligram-size pieces of plutonium metal, as well as smaller pieces the "hot-spot" the ground surface, randomly scattered in remedial action for this island: (1) Make limits to all people, or (2) conduct a these "hot spots” has revealed the presence cleanup campaign which willeliminate plutonium. lem and removewhateveramountofsoilis which are physically indistinguishable in size from the surrounding coral matrix. necessary to reduce the soil plutonium it must be Giventhese current conditions,RY E other northern islands, respirable size are now also presentonthe of a 10-cm-thick layer of topsoil in the concentration to a level comparable to As an indication assumed that pure plutonium particles of of the volumes of soil involved, removal surface or may be present in the future as area in which “hot spots" have been weathering effects oxidize and break down detected involves approximately 17, 000° qe - the larger particles. Lung dose assess- m®* of material. Further removalof soil ments for this area, therefore, must be to reduce the maximum plutonium con- based on inhalation of pure plutonium ‘tamination levels to particles rather than those having the average plutonium content of the soil. i/gor less involves an additional25,000m>of vr. material. e ‘ ff The Task Group recognizes that the RODeae Atoll are small and that the areas of highes islands are smaller still. close to the soil. 39Puin soil on these On the other hand the people live Itis also recognized that experts are not in agreernent as to the critical organ for inhaled plutonium, whether to use an average dose for this organ, or the model to be used to predict dose. Itis the view of the Ta ou that available biological andenvironmental informationis — not adequate to establish gegeral guidance for cleanup of plutonium contaminated soil. However, idance for a ° - 4 K a umstances or conditions can be developed on 2 case-by-case basis using conservative assumptions andonly _safety factor. Theguicance folvang iapagammended for use in‘making decisions concerning plutonium cleanup Ee operations on islands of Enewetak Atoll: 1. | Any areas or locations where soil concentrations o are greater than400 should receive corrective aetien with contaminated soil removed for disposal. “a 2. " a~ BEST AVAILABLE COPY Situations with soil le vels in i the 40 to 400 Ci/ receive corrective action wit | h eich6 1Sthtonsweln tea on,a case-by-case basis. ane ee peewee eee ee ee, inhalation pathway is sufficiently great