(5) Effects on Food Chains
The residual radioactivity which has existed in the environs
of the atoll for approximately twenty years has undoubtedly
penetrated all food webs of atoll ecosystems.

In the absence

of detailed radiological data it is not possible to state the
amounts in any food chain but is is likely that concentrations
of several radioactive species are sufficiently high to contribute
amounts of radioactivity to man through his diet which are of
potential significance to human health.

Both bone seeking

isotopes and radioactive species which distribute uniformly
throughout tissue are present.

Long-lived iodine will likely

not be a problem of great concern.

Meaningful assessment of the

consequences of plutonium and other transuranics in the food chain
as well as quantitative information or the contribution of radioactive fission and activation products in important food chains
will have to await radiological survey results.
unlikely, however,

It is highly

that concentrations are sufficiently high, even

in the most highly contaminated areas of the atoll to cause
disruption of food chains by radiation damage to components
(References

).

Data from the radiological survey on

several components of major food chains to man will be evaluated
and available towards the end of May.

"

The proper assessment of radionuclide transfer through the food
web to the natives will have to wait on analyses of samples
collected to date.

However, even though consensus believes no

Select target paragraph3