wach noaee
Marshall
_ 3eoGEe ano ALFCATIANG COOE
:
Islands Radiological Saletv
19c.
ot“Peoso Q3-4
| COLE
aa NUMBER
BNL!
3
0
Associated Vniversicties.
4
CONTRACTOR NAME
:.
GATE safc anancl
|
\
!
TASK NO.
94/02/79
(Oe
REV.
Q
NC
Purvose.
is program is cperated to 3rovide continuously updated data on ionizing
radiation deses and dose commitments received sy che residents of islands in
the Northern Marshalls which have Seen ccntaiminated by U.S. atmospheric
nuclear tests.
These data will be used =9 develop predictive dose modelling,
and co provide a basis for remedial actions when necessary.
29d.
3acxzreund.
This work was begun in 1974 to provide radiarcion safety relaced infeorma-
tion to the A.E.C. concerning tne residents of 3ixini, Rongelap, and Utirik
Atolis, and the impending return 32 the inewetax people.
<Approacn.,
Field trips co the Marshall Islands will se conducted cwo to three times
vear t9 do ta vivo counting anc urins caolleesicons lor radioassay and for
vironmental sampling.
imarily at 3NL.
tT
u
1
tittle
ae
rt ts (0
tt
Ad
l3e.
manipulation,
Sanplas
Results wil
modeliins
sc
and in vivo counting
data will be analyzed
2 inecrtorated incs a compucerized data base
as,
and
incortoraztion into
raperts for
sublication.
L9f.
Technical Prrerass.
Three field trips were conduczed during F¥1978 for environmental sampliag
and personnel monitoring.
Tne Spring 1977 whole body
counting
Q
trig to 3ikini demonstratad dramatic
3
and umexpected increases in Livas
:Sody Surdens among the residencs.
These
fiadings led to a Department of the Interior deci ton £9 move the Bikini reoplea
Zi their home atoll.
The decline ig +3'cs and
Se body burdens among the
3i<inians will be monitored guring FY1979.
A derailed diac and living pattera
study of residents of the Northern Marshalls is exvected
=o improve understandang of internal and external radiation exmosure vachways.
This study and
estimates of radionuciide exererion rates derived frem follow-up personnel
monitoring on che Bikintans are expected co improve sredictive modelling and
reduce the probability of unexpected occurrences such as thac at S3ikini laste
year,
Emphasis on personnel monitoring is expected to continue through FYy1980
and FY1$81. Development at ultra-low level analytical capabilities for transuranic radionuclides and the establishmenc of corroborative Dioassay prograns
21 cooperation with other laboratories ara axtected to clarify and quantitate
ow level plutonium end americium body burdens among the 3ikinians and Ronge-
~apese.
Similar determinations among a Marshallese conrcrol population are
expected to demonstrate differences,
if anv, setween the residents of sontam-
inated atolls and regional background.
K-39
~