~ 2 -.
from BNL accompanying the team.
Medical examinations have not been done,
since they were not indicated in view of the low levels of radiation to
which the people are exposed.
However, when physicians from the BNL
medical team are at Bikini they have, for humanitarian reasons, examined
and treated many individuals at the request of the individuals or health
aide.
No health problem or sickness has been noted which could be related
to radiation exposure.
The results of bioassay procedures have been most.
important in forming a basis
for reassurance of the people living at Bikini
regarding their radiological safety.
In order to assess the radiological hazard the following bioassay procedures have been carried out:
1.
Radiochemical analyses on urine samples:
pooled samples).
(individual 24 hour and
These analyses require sophisticated chemical procedures
and are performed by the ERDA Health and Safety Laboratory in New York
City.
Such radiochemical analyses have also been carried out on water
and indigenous food products.
Analyses were made for 700n, 13765 and Pu,
On one occasion nasal swabs taken on Bikini workmen were taken to the U.S.
to be analyzed for Pu.
2.
Direct measurement of radiation in the people by gamma spectro~
graphic analysis:
To perform this analysis tons of radiation~free lead
bricks were shipped to the Marshalls and a shielded counting facility
set up in one of our air-conditioned trailers and transported to Bikini
on our vessel (LCU-Liktanur).
The measurement of body radiation by such
analysis is very sensitive and requires complex electronic equipment and
scientific personnel from BNL who are experts in this technique.
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