A RADIOLOGICAL STUDY OF RONGELAP ATOLL, MARSHALL
ISLANDS DURING 1954 - 1955
2
The proprem of study of the Applied Fisheries Laboratory,
pntvered ty of Washington, (Program 19,1 of Operation Castle) was
F utlined in the Laboratory's report UWFL<36,
This program involved
getatied studies of radiclogical. contamination of the fauna and
“ptora of Eniwetok Atoll, ‘with. exploratory trips te Bikink Atou ‘on
ig quarterly basis to ascertain the levels of ‘radiation remaining”
during the year following the test program.
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The unexpected pattern and magnitude of the fallout: of
radioactive materials from the March 1, 1954experdiichtintroduced
the need for new areas of study over and above the planned pro«
gran.
One such area was Rongelap Atel1 where the fallout caused
, the evacuation of the,native people.
A
ey
on Mareh 21,’ “los4, the‘Laboratory reéeived & request from
“Dr. Paul 5. Pearson, AEC Division of Biology and Medicine, to
male a survey of the islends in Rongelap Atoll to determine the
- exteni& of radiological sontamination of the native foods,
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The expedition toRongelap, in response fo. this request,
r was organized by_‘Task Group 7,1, with transportation and suppors
Providedby the USS Nicholas (D.D.E.449), Members of Program 19.1
[ vere Lauren R. Donaldson, Major Charlies Barnes, Edward Held,
.Ralph Palunbo:and PaulOlson,| Pee,Thome Shipman, Dr, Thomas W.
tte, P. Re ‘Schivone‘and . W. Robbins accompanied the expedi~
| tion to aid the natives {tn capturing some of their animals on
k| Rongelap Ysland and temale,Padtation.Feadings on some of the
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