1.
1.1
INTRODUCTION
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Rongelap Atoll was contaminated with radioactive fallout in 1954 as
a result of the Bravo thermonuclear test-shot at Bikini, 130 miles away.
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In 1978, to .inforathe people of the Northern Marshall Islands of the
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extent of residual contamination 24 years later, and of its potential
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effects upon their health, DOE (Department of Energy) surveyed the region
and subsequently issued a specially prepared book report in Xarshallese. ~j~~’”-”’,*”
The book was entitled, The Heaning of Radiation for Those Atolls in
the Northern Part of the Marshall Islands that were Surveyed in 1978,
and was published in 1982. (Ue shall refer to it as DOE-1982.) The first
part dealt in general with radiation and fallout, and how they sight
affect plants, animals and man. The situation at Rongelap was dealt with
specifically on pages 38 - 39. (Note 1)
DOE’S assessment of Rongelap Island was not accepted by the
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