‘In light of the possible changein ICRP maximum permissible dose for the
individual, the size of the study group may change in the future.
|

3.

The dosimetry of the islands involved in the March 1, 1954

accident is uncertain.

It has been restudied and revised repeatedly as new

technology and new data become available.
population dosimetry is possible.

Under the circumstances, only

It would appear from the pathologic results,

at least to the thyroids of some of the children of Rongelap, that the
individual variations might be considerably higher than was previously estimated
(private communication with J. E. Rall, M.D., Director of the Institute of Meta-

bolic and Allied Diseases, National Institutes of Health).
4.

Irrespective of the calculated doses to the exposed

population, the development of radiation-related disease for which the
DOE/BNL/DOI has accepted moral and fiscal responsibility has fixed in the minds
of the Marshallese the fact that they and their Land have been "poisoned"
(synonymous with the Marshallese word for radiation).

This intellectual,

psychological, and emotional set is deep-rooted and probably cannot be erased.
5.
of Micronesia.

The Marshallese consider themselves a "“unique"™ subpopulation
Their documented "injury" by the U.S.,. supported by anti-nuclear

world opinion, gives them great political and economic leverage.

Their recent

movement for "free association" will probably not progress to independence,
without firm guarantees, in writing, by the United States, that we will continue
to compensate the people for injury and damage to their land.

Their current con-

cept includes the descendants of those people who have been identified as
"injured" through property and/or physical loss.
6.

Conversely,

the U.S. would like to resolve these claims

equitably and to place some reasonable time Limit on U.S. liability.

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