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The Defense Nuclear Agency (DNA), has
taken exception to the proposed criteria,
although by letter dated June 7, 1974, to
the Chairman, the Director of DNA states
that he "will not contest the standards recommended
by the Commission," DNA believes that radiation j
standards applicable to the general public are
{
not appropriate for the small Enewetak population
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and that such use could establish an undesirable
precedent for other situations of environmental
/
contamination from nuclear explosives.
In their
view, application of standards for the general
public does not allow adequate consideration
of the desires of the people, especially as to
establishment of a village on JANET. The
DNA also recommended a risk-benefit analysis
that they believe would justify the selection of
higher radiation dose levels for the cleanup
criteria. Standards for radiation workers, or
comparisons with situations where people live
in higher ambient radiation, i.e., monazite sands
areas of India are cited as precedence for use of
higher doses.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
has commented favorably stating that they
accept the proposed criteria on an interim use
basis. The Department of the Interior (DOI) has
deferred to AEC judgement.
Comments received from DNA, EPA and DOt are
included in Appendix 1.
Decision Criteria:
Neither national nor international bodies have
established radiation standards or criteria for
cleanup that would apply specifically to the
Enewetak situation. Currently, cleanup criteria
are developed on an ad hoc basis with consideracion
given to such pertinent factors as: exposure levels,
food chains, pathways to man, land use, cost,
feasibility of cleanup, impact of cleanup, etc.
The staff has applied the principle that cleanup of
contaminated property for use by the general
public must (1) keep predicted radiation dose
levels within a conservative interpretation and
DOE ARCHIVES