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Leo M. Krulitz
October 30, 1979
Page Eight

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in the decisionmaking process which was based upon it.
As we have said, the AEC insisted that all questions of
radiological health and safety be resolved in terms of
radiation protection standards, rather than the more
realistic basis of expected health effects from projected
See EIS, Vol. I, SS5.3.2 to 5.4;
doses of radiation.
and Vol. II, Tab B; pp. 4-5. This is not the place to
devote the attention it deserves to the question of the
relevance and utility of United States radiation protection
standards to the resettlement of Enewetak atoll. You have our
“Radiation Protection-for Enewetak Atoll” and we are
working on a revised version which will incorporate the
Suffice
risk estimates recently performed by our advisors.
it to say here that it is simply not possible for one to
make decisions in matters of this kind in terms of numerical
limits which are in themselves the result of one kind of
cost-benefit analysis of potential adverse health effects
weighed against known benefits of the use of radiation by
members of a large population.
But take the Protective Action Guides, for the sake of
discussion, and’ apply them to the case at hand. The question
then becomes which will do the people of Enewetak more harm,
living at Enjebi or denial of that opportunity?
And a
What will
closely related, extremely important question:
do the people of Enewetak the greater harm, permitting
them to decide their own fate, or denying them that right?
When measured by the major concern which we all share,
that is the potentially adverse health effects of radiation
exposure, the risk today, if anything, is lower than in 1975,
when the predicted healt~ effects contained in the EIS
(Vol. I, Tables 5-12 and 5-13), are compared with those
based upon the most recent dose assessment.
These are the facts essential to rational consideration of
The most significant difference
and decision in this matter.
between 1979 and 1975, is that the people of Enewetak are
now exercising their last chance to take a look at this
They have made their own evaluation and called
matter.
The relevant facts, as set forth
upon you to reconsider.
in the EIS, are essentially the same today as they were in

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