Dr, W. J. Bair
-2-
December 30, 1976
_7.
4 also feel that Liverman should be appraised of the real situation
A
y at Bikini in terms of other islands in the atoll and the potential
pe
Yen att
{
k a at
gfor situations developing that are similar to Enewetok.
Apparently
Sv there is not much information on the extent of Pu contamination on
ft fether islands (e.g., Nam) that could be visited or inhabited in the
jut y gy“ futurc--regardless of what might be said to them at present.
Le
{ re
a).
Xt,
we
‘
Also, some portions of at least one island in the atoli have Pu
contamination levels considerably higher than the average value
aa)
reported for Bikini.
The point is that Bikini is only one of
the islands in the atoll and any decisions concerning potential
health effects from plutonium to the Bikinians must be based on
information covering the entire atoll.
8.
I also feel that we need to mention the potential problem of
Standards for plutonium in soil.
n_ (ke
EPA standards apply to Bikini?
ha
For example, would the proposed
What would be the effort required
to eStablish what the levels of contamination are for the various
islands?
Is the survey information adequate?
What costs would be
associated with surveys, cleanup, if required, and disposal of soil?
Where and under what circumstances would the contaminated soil be
isolated and managed?
I hope these comments are helpful.
Best personal regards.
Sincerely yours,
onooo
?
e
CRR:imm
ce:
Transuranium Technical Group
'
LG han
Chester "R. Richmond
Associate Director for
Biomedical and Environmental
Sciences