High Commissioner
I:
a
~6-
:
‘10/29/89
If allowed to return to Bikini Atoll, what things could be done to
help reduce dose intake?
-
- Stay off of Bikini
Island, and do not eat any local foods.
i(Henchi Balos): Provide us the comparison of radiation dose at Kili and the dose at
Eneu.
I
Net background exposure at Kili is 20-25 millirems per year, while at
Eneu it would average 170 to a maximum of 390 millirems per year.
This
assumes imported foods are available and are combined with about one-half local
food diet.
\(Henchi Batos}: Why is there such a difference between Kili and Eneu?
\s
):
Fallout remains in the soil at Eneu, which is not present here at Kili.
{Ff there is a small risk by living at Eneu and we are unable to deter
our children from eating local foods and increasing their risk, will the
United States take responsibility?
If the diet is augmented and people depend
primarily on imported food, will the United States Government be liable if
children were to receive a larger dose because an acceptable standard still
cannot be maintained?
\(Hal Hollister) :Under the "Burton Bill", responsibility to monitor the risk lies with
the United States and we would hope that the people would take advantage of
that bill, for it will provide health care and monitorina.
The requirement
for imported food is not perpetual. As the radiological level goes down
via decay, eventually imported foods will no longer be required to stay within
the guidelines.
YHenchi Balos):
tm 1978 DOE said Bikini
Island would be off-limits for 60 to 1CO years
and Eneu would be off-limits for 20 to 30 years.
this now?
Why are you not saying
\(Roger Ray):
! don't remember any such statement by the United States.
comment(J.:
These were statements made in the U.S. Congressional testimony by
Jeisgall)
Department of Energy.
Bruce Wachholz, you were there.
\(Hal Hollister) :We will follow up on this question and find out the information for you.
Johnny :
Jonnson)
See paragraph 3 on page 28. Why was the mistake made which resulted
in President Johnson approving the return of Bikinians to Bikini Atoll?
Was the information they had in error?
\(B. Robison):
Scientists in 1967 and 1968 had very little information and data.
They didn't know much about radiation in the soil and plants and about
dietary habits.
Since that time we have monitored Bikini and Eneu and collected
thousands of samples of food, soil, water, and fish. As a result we have
much more information now than we did in 1968.
With this additional infor-
mation we can now estimate much more precisely the dose to be expected.
We
don't think these conclusions of today will change.
However, we will continue to study and wil! pass on our findings and understandings to the
Bikini people.