ine wl% a bailelle — Pacific Northwest Laboratories P.O. Box 999 Richland, Washington U.S.A. 99352 Telephone (509} 375-242 Telex 15-2874 December 29, 1980 Dr. Bruce W. Wachholz * Department of Energy Office of Health and Environmental Research, EV-21 GIN, E-201 Washington, DC 20545 Dear Bruce: I have just read Tommy's letter to Bill Robison giving his concern about the diet assumptions used in the dose assessment. I share Tommy's concerns. The actual diets of the people under conditions of imported food and no imported food are indeed vague because they have never been determined in a scientific way. This could cause eventual problems with the dose assessments and the Bikini experience could be repeated. Knowing Mitchell's interests I think use of his diet values could be difficult to defend. If Bill revises the dose estimates based on new information or assumptions about diets or using some of Tommy's suggestions, the dose assessment pages of the Enewetak and Bikini books could and should be revised. With-bkest regards, W. Jd. Bair, Ph.D. Manager Environment, Health and Safety Research Program WJB: 1m