Dr. John C. Bugher
Question 4(b).
Answer.
-2-
Nay 20, 195)
"How much land was in any way damaged? What was
the extent and kind of damage?"
There was no land damaged outside the test area,
fallout that occurred did not damage the land i
Tr"
we
e sense
that it could- not be reinhabited or could not“be used for
agricultural pursuits, Except for possibly the uninhabited
northern islands of Rongelap Atoll, all of the islands
could be re-entered safely in the near future by personnel
who had not previously experienced significant radiation
exposures.
Since the indigenous inhabitants have already
received some radiation exposure, it has been deemed wise
not to allow them to return,until the activity has decayed
to an insignificant level. {The amount of activity in the
soil does not constitute a fiazard to the growth and edibility of plant life,
Question l(c).
‘hat was the extent of sea area, including lagoons
~~ and surrounding open sea, contaminated or otherwise
affected? What were the effects? How lasting are
they? Will any areas require cecontamination? Is
there any way of doing this?"
Answer.
The amount of activity in the Bikini and Eniwetok lagoons
would make it wiwise to eat fish from these waters without
monitoring first, at least for the present. The activity
in the other lagoons and in the open sea is so siall that
no deleterious effects may be expected to the fish themselves nor will the edibility of the fish be impaired.
No sea areas need decontamination. Certain land areas
might be covered with an inactive material such as dirt,
but this procedure is not recommended nor is it really
necessary since the activity on practically all of the
islands will be at a very low level in a few months,
[Footnote continued from previous page/ anount of activity in the
body will remain constant due to equilibrium conditions with intake
eenr
of activity.
Also to be considered is the fact that the calculated
beta dose to the thyroid was about 200-500 reps.
pOE ARCHIVES
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