DRAFT
9
3 Jan 90
CONTRACTOR
MEDICAL
PLUTONIUM
RADIATION
Because of the results of a study of samples collected in summer 1989 to
assess the plutonium background in the RMI areas, the BNL concludes that the urine
samples collected from 1981 to 1984 were contaminated during field collections.“
The BNL submits the first 40 plutonium results from the urine samples taken
from people who had previously high plutonium results in the summer of 1989. The
data confirm the speculation that the urine samples collected from 1981 to 1984 were
contaminated during field collections. The new fission track etch procedure has
improved the quality assurance of the process. The new data show that the people
measured have nogreater than 100 attocuries of plutonium in their urine and will not
receive greater than 1 mrem/yr from plutonium.
8 Jan 90
CONGRESSIONAL RELATIONSHIP
MEDICAL
RADIATION
In draft comments on S. 1802, the "Department of Energy Nuclear Facilities
Act of 1989," the DOE officials advise that "Title V, Monitoring of Health and
Radiological Conditions in the Northern Marshall Islands,” is unnecessary because
these actions already are being undertaken.
9 Jan 90
ADMINISTRATION
RADIATION
In response to Acting RMI President Kunio LeMari’s request for a cleanup of
Runit Island, Chief of Mission Samuel Thomsen of the American Embassy requests
that the DOE and the DOI coordinate with the DNA todetermine.the best means of
completing decontarninatiosof Runit....Citingthe:favorable‘comment:received by: the
DOE for its decision: tg reexamine thesafetyof Rongelap,'Thomser:comments: that
attention’ paid: to Runitwould-have ‘similar political and humanitarian benefits.
13 fam: 903
MEDICALE! fs i-N
PLUTONIUM
RADIATION
—
,
The DOE informs a Marshall Islands government resident scientist that the
results of the plutonium analysis reinforce the belief that plutonium is not a health
hazard at Rongelap.™
19-21 Jan 90
ADMINISTRATION
CONGRESSIONAL RELATIONSHIP
CONTRACTOR
A five-person LANL team and William Jackson, the PASO program liaison
specialist, travel to Maloelap Atoll to make arrangements with the atoll leadership for
LANLto conduct a scientific experiment in August and/or September 1990. Jackson
accompanies a House Appropriations Committee staffer to Enewetak and Bikini to
brief the residents of the DOE's activities at both places. While at Enewetak Jackson
relays the DOE's desire to terminate its role at Enewetak by 30 September 1990.