137c~ 13711 $aBody Burden llistor>~ C!,rvesfor Fomer Bikin~.Rc?sidents A statistical analysis, based on the demonstrated variance of the whole body count results and sample size, indicates a 90-95% confidence level applies to the estimated true value for the mean body burden for adult and youth population groups. A non-equilibrium betw@n 137CS in the environment and 137CS in persons was maintained throughout the residence period on Bikini Island. The increasing burden has been attributed tothe increasing availability of loca].lygrown dietary items containing 137Cs in particular coconut. In the Sprin8 of 1977, approximate].y52 of che adult male body,, burdens exceeded the International Committee on Radiation Protection’s recommended limit for the.Seneral public (3 pCi). In April 1978, approxi.matcly9% of the adult female body burdens and 30% of the adult male body burdens exceeded the ICRP recommendation. ! ,