Maeet a; [Xeprinted from JOCRNAL OF Foop SUisnce 1963, Vol. 23, No, 2, Pages 221-228] os sot sas Chemical and Asdiccnericz! Comrosizion ~ xf we a 410310 ™: 082 wonce.cpese iet DIPTIMAN CHARRAVARTI anp EDWARD E. HELD L.voratory of Radiation Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington (Manuscript received March 21, 1962) SUM AIARY ‘sane gross cuemieal co.rposiiion of the Nongelapese diet indicates tat it is iow da fat, protean, aad ash but fairly liga ia eurboayarate, The varin- tio ia gross chemicat composition vi whe diets exambied may be accounted for Ly u.e broad vaciability of dhe dieceni diel. The habiat of the Rongeiapese yrowaply dovs not demand a Ligh-energy ules, waieh aoiay partiaily justily tne lower fur intake. Levels of caicium and phosphorus seem below the minimum required for maiu.enanee of a proper caigiumepuosphorn. balance. The diet seems adequate i magnesium and potassium but slightly low in sodium. Tue nickel, covalt, and copner cuatents seem high in the Rongelan Palos, iadugaunese Cow.cat is iow, and irea and zine compure favorably widh minlinwa Gay requirements. isn: levels of cobalt-30 and zine-63 are associated wiih each other and witha ratious contuinhiy local ish. ‘Lae Lignhes aevess of siroatium-¥0 and Ceconut contributes i Fe .T Feyaed ford oe . os . eesiumet37 ace found7 where local éeuit was conse. Hite strontiuime90. snc pancasus the Nest utieas with higaer zine-65 aiso contain higoer feveis of siau.e zine, indicatiag tut igcai sca foods may be the main source of zine in the diet. Cesium-137, strontium-¥0, and cobalt-60 snow ..v definite correlation with stable potassium, calcium, and covalt, re- spectively, There is probably a net addition of minerals to Rongelap soils iroa importeu foGus. INTRODUCTION Rongelap Atoil was contaminated with radioactive tallour resuiting from the Brivo test, on March 1, 1954, to the extent chat the population ot 82 Rongelapese had to be evacuated. Some 200 Marshallese returned to RNongelap in June, 1937, atter the area had been declared again sate for human haibiration. Since 195+ several surveys have Cctermined levels of radioactive contamination kinds ot radionuclides and minerals ingested by the Rongelapese through foods. Far, pro- tein, and carbohydrate were determined to provide a basis of comparison with known diets. To our knowledge there are no published data on the diet of the Rongelapese. Rongelap Atoll lies in the northern Marshall Islands, an area of comparatively low rainiall and limited variety of agricultural products. The principal plants eaten are at Rongelap Atoll (Dunning, 1937). In March, 1958, a study of the ecology of the atoll relative to radioactive contamination coconut, breadiruit, pandanus, and the arrow- eAtomic Energy Commission, Division ot Biology and’ Medicine. One of the objectives of the present investigation was to determine the amount and Fish, clams, langusta, birds, chickens, and pigs are eaten. Of these, the most important is fish. The coconut crab, Birgus lauiro, is considered a delicacy but is the one tood was initiated at the request of the U. S. * Operated by the University of Washington under Contract No. AT (45-1) 1385) wirh United States Atomic Energy Comunission. the root, or tacca; some squash and papaya are also gvown. Bananas and taro have been introduced but are not yet in full production, item excluded irom the dict because of the stronuum-90 content (Dunning, 1957). The coconut, “Ni” in Marshallese, is eaten at diferent stages of development. The juice ii) BEST COPY AVAILABLE Te TER rence: Cpe ree Time EY Toe smcernrge paeeercneeerae eeee — ONT Te . i we +e ‘ : * foo as