STAPF COMMENTS
It is expected that the results of dose estimates for use of
Eneu as a village island will depend to a considerable degree
on the assumptions regarding land use and diet.
The task of
providing additional advice to DOI is further complicated by
observing that while we have a chance to correct past mistakes,
the problem of limiting exposures in an atoll environment is
more difficult than recognized earlier.
Though the residency limitations of the return to Bikini Atoll
were never well unéexstoed by the Rikinians and any wnder-
standing they may have had has been further dimmed by time,
the fact is that the AEC recommendation to President Johnson
for their return to the atoll and the subsequent plans for
cleanup and rehabilitation of the atoll, were based primarily
upon radiological considerations.
First, that the U.&. radiation
protection standards for exposures of individuals will be used
to determine what is "safe."*
Second, that any restrictions
to limit exposures be simple and easily wnderstood by the
Bikinians, and three, that all involved parties maintain a
spirit of cooperation to achieve the goal of the Bikinians
again living in safety on their atoll.
the people, their advisors,
These parties include
the Trust Territory Government,
and agencies of the Federal Governnent.
In addition, past judgements and recommendations have been
based on dose estimates using the average contamination level
of land and food as opposed to "worst case" conditions.
We
believe this approach is still valid.
*Thére is no decumertation that a numerical balance or tradeoff was made between the benefits of the Bikinlans revuinm and
the risks of radiation exposure.
As stated in 1968, the pre-
dicted exposures "do not offer a significant threat to health
and safety."
In our strict application of Federal radiation
standards for a similar decision to return the Fnewetakese to
their atoll, EPA considered the numerical values of these
standards as upper limits.