proved unsatisfactory. The Enewetak people were relocated at Ujelang Atoll to the south after their evacuation. After the 1958 moratorium on atmospheric nuclear testing, numerous radiological surveys were done on Bikini and later on Enewetak Atoll. In 1967, the principal radionuclides contributing to the gamma radiation field on Bikini and its neighboring island of Enue were 137¢s, 990, 125gp, and 155£u; slight amounts of plutonium were also found. Considerable variation was seen in the degree of contamination of individual islands comprising the atolls of Bikini and Enewetak. In 1968, an Ad hoc Committee reviewed the survey results for Bikini and decided that Enue and Bikini Islands were safe for habitation, with certain In 1969, about 30 people started measures recommended to reduce exposure. work on Bikini Atoll (living on Enue), and in 1971 several Bikini families moved back to Bikini Island. The number of people increased to about 145 by 1978 before their relocation. Annual radiological monitoring of personnel was carried out beginning in 1969 as well as numerous radiological surveys of the island (13,218-221,225). Personnel monitoring consisted of annual radiochemical urine bioassays and whole-body gamma spectrographic analyses in 1974 and 1977 by the medical group. Since that time whole-body counting and other personnel monitoring as well as environmental studies have been carried out by the BNL Safety and Environmental Protection Division. The estimated doses to the Bikini people from the environmental contamination were so low that medical examinations were not indicated. However, on visits to the island, the doctors have held "sick call," and in 1978 the peoSince the reple were given complete physicals by the visiting medical team. location of the people in 1979, medical examinations have been done on these Bikini people living on Majuro Atoll. No thyroid or other radiation-related problems were noted. Personnel monitoring has also continued on this population. When the people returned to Bikini, they received a continuing complete food subsidy from the Trust Territory Government. Before locally grown fruits (coconuts, pandanus, breadfruit, etc.) became available, radioassays showed When these fruits became availbody burdens well within acceptable ranges. able, radioassays showed radionuclide levels (particularly 137¢s and 29sr) that were higher than expected, and the people were admonished not to eat the locally grown foods. In spite of this warning, radiochemical urine analyses and whole-body counting of personnel showed a continuing increase in body burdens of these radionuclides to levels that were considered unacceptable. Also, low levels of plutonium were thought to be detected, but this finding has not been verified, and contamination of the samples is thought to have been a factor. Because of these unexpected and unfavorable developments, the people were again removed from Bikini in August 1978. The results of personnel monitoring of the Bikini inhabitants are presented in Appendix II. From the residence period between 1969 and 1978, exposure data indicate that a maximally exposed person on Bikini received a dose equivalent commitment of 3 rem, and the population average dose equivalent commitment was 1.2 rem (223). _-— The Bikini inhabitants are now living on atolls in the southern Marshalls and are being monitored at intervals. The results show a continuing reduction in their body burdens. - 8 -