In 1968, President Johnson authorized the return of Bikini Atoll to its orizinal inhabitants, most of whom were living on Kili Island about 509 ailes to the south of Bikini Atoll. A similar authorization was ziven for the En~ ewetak people who had been moved to Ujelang prior to the testing at their home atoli. Because of the residual radioactivity at Bikini and Enewetak, en- vironmental monitoring programs were established to assure the people that the low-level radiation exposures (which residents would receive from living in these olaces) remain within acceptable limits. The dose-equivalent limits are those recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (IC2P) for people not occupationally exposed to radiation. | The U.S. Department of Energy had assumed the old Atomic Energy Conmission's commitment to provide continuing followup for the medical and en- vironmental problems caused by the Pacific testing programs. Beginning in March 1954 to the present, the 8rookhaven medical team has provided medical care and radiation protection guidance to the exposed population. They studied internal radioactivity levels through radiochemical analysis of urine and blood and through whole-body counting. Since the logistical support for Brocxhaven medical team visits to Rongelap and Utirik had been established, it Seemed teasonable to have the environmental and radiological safety assessments done by the Safety and Environmental Protection Division of Brookhaven National Laboratory as well. The Safety and Environmental Protection Division undertook environ~ mental measurements for radioactivity as early as 1974. In 1978, whole-body counting and radiochemical analysis of biological samples were transferred from the Medical Department to this division. At present, the program