ABSTRACT
The task has been to determine whether or not DOE's 1982 Report
proved that Rongelap Island is safe for habitation. The island was
contaminated in 1954 during the testing of nuclear weapons.
It should be borne in mind that the dosage under discussion is
current dosage, e.g., from 1990 to 2020, and not that from exposure in
1954. The current [population]* dosage over a 30-year period is a matter
of 3 rem [or less}, whereas [that of 1954] was one of 190 rem in 2 days.
The evidence used by DOE plus additional and more recent information
have been reviewed.
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Rongelap Island is safe for habitation by adults provided that the
diet is equivalent to that formerly used. I do not believe that such a
diet would present any difficulty. {It comprises local plus imported
foods.)
Measuremnent of plutonium excretion in the urine of Rongelap
residents (1981) [by the Brookhaven National Laboratory] shows very great
variation, [and it is quite inconsistent with studies by the Lawrence
Livermore National Laboratory]. The matter is a potential cause of
concern and should be studied {now} although it is not associated with
overexposure.
The dose to infants and small children is another potential cause of
concern.
Preliminary findings from a diet survey indicate, however, that
the dosage is not excessive.
This study should be continued.
The whole-body counting for cesium should be resumed to establish a
base line for later work at the time of resettlement.
In the course of planning for [Atoll] resettlement, the fact that
Rongelap Island appears safe for resettlement now should not be lost
Sight of.
Planning for resettlement [of the Atoll} should consider the
possible use of potassium-salt treatment of the soil and soil removal as
studied at Bikini.
To obtain a brief summary of the key facts of dosage and the nore
general, but important human factors that will affect decision-naking,
the reader is referred to Sectyon 4.5 (Dose Summary) and to Section 5
(Discussion and Recommendations.)
{The standards of safety in this Report -- as is to be expected -are those employed currently in the U.S., where the radiation protection
guide for the general population is 5 rem in 30 years (.17 ren/yr), whole
body exposure (technically, the committed effective dose equivalent).
The protective action guide is 0.2 rem/yr to the bone marrow (committed
dose equivalent). These matters are discussed in Note 5.]
*Bracketed paterial has been added to this edition for clarification or
correction.
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2000b11