1) A899 To the Chiefe and Ail People in Utirik Atoll Your letter to Mr. Roger Ray, dated July 1976, has keen received in this office. I wish to thank you for sending this letter and bringing your views to my attention. IT have carefully considered your views, as presented in your letter, and appreciate the opportunity to answer your theughtful questions. Even today, there are many facts about radiation that are not known, despite the large number of scientiste who have studied this subject for more than 30 years. Even less was known about radiation in 1954 at the time of the exposure of the people on Rongelap and Utirik. Based on all available knowledge on radiation at that time, and using thelr best judgement, the American doctors estimated that the people of Utirik were exposed to only a small amount of radiation. Hence, there was general agreement among the doctors and they told the Utirik people that they should not show any ill effects in the future caused by radiation. Also, the relatively low levels of radiation at Utirik soon diminished sufficiently to permit the people to return to their atoll before some of the other populations. Rongelap, on the other hand, was more heavily contaminated with radioactivity sco the people of this island had to live elsewhere for about three years before they could return to their homes. In reviewing the data that led to the determination that the Utirik people were exposed to considerably less radiation than the people of Rongelap, one must conclude that they are essentially correct. This conclusion is based in part on the dose estimates from measurenents on the island. Even more important is that the Utirik people showed only very minor, if any, symptoms of early Qa 20) 1318