UNITE O SEATS ATOMIC ENERGY COMMIS . -.. WASHINGTON OC. 20545 ms win t” nina We fA R. E. Hollingsworth, General Manager THRU: i S. G. English, Assistant General Manege for Research and Development . Oo PAYMENTS FOR CONTINUED MEDICAL STUDIES OF UTIRIK (MARSHALLESE) PEOPLE As you know, we support a long established program of periodic medical surveys of the Marshallese people, who were accidentally exposed to fallout radiation during the 1954 weapons test activ- ities, which is conducted by Dr. Robert A. Conard of the Brookhaven National Laboratory. The data developed from these medical examinations have proved to be extremely valuable from the standpoint of increasing our knowledge of biological radiation effects, as well as rendering an important medical service to the individuals involved, and these studies are planned to be continued for as many years as deemed necessary and useful. Recently Dr. Conard has become increasingly concerned over the fact that the Utirik people ere beginning to insist on some sort of recompense for being exposed to the fallout radiation. This stems at least in part from the fact that the U.S. Congress passed an Act* approving payment to the Rongelap people (of approximately $11,000 per individual) in recompense for this population's expo- sure to fallout radiation. The Utirik people were exposed to a far lower level of radiation than were the Rongelese (estimated gama dose, Rongelap - 175 rads; Utirik - 14 rads). Dr. Conard reports that when he attempted to explain to the Utirik people the small amount of radiation they had received, their response was to the effect that since they had received a "little bit" of radiation, they should receive a "little bit" of money. Dr. Conard believes that a token payment to each of the Utirik people involved, including descendants of deceased, would accomplish 4 great deal in assuring their future cooperation in the periodic medical examination program. He suggests & payment of $100 per person and *P.L. 88-485 enacted August 22, 1964, entitled "To provide for the settlement of claims of certain residents of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands.” (Sum not to exceed $950,000.) - @-