5.2 Recommendations However the program is set up, I recommend that it cover the following items. (1) Reinstitute whole-body counting for cesium-137 now to establish a base line of comparison to be used when the people return to Rongelap. We know, of course, that their counts have not been excessive. (2) Study the plutonium excretion in urine now [before return}* as a research project to determine the reproducibility of the fission track method and how environmental factors night influence the results, [and especially why the Brookhaven results differ so much from those obtained by Lawrence Livermore). (3) Extend the study (before return]* of infant diets and those of small children. This will be much more time consuming than foreign consultants might suppose. (4) Develop a plan to control contamination to the extent necessary to make the Rongelap people feel comfortable with their Atoll. Two methods developed at Bikini Atoll might be adapted for _ use here -- soil removal or soil treatment with potassium salt. The plan would be a graded one in which the northern islands would receive more treatment than Rongelap itself, which would receive little, if any. (5) The prelude to such planning would include some contamination surveys on the important islands where food is produced. (6) For the present, at least, I recommend no food gathering on islands north of Borukka and Eniaetok. (7) The fact that Rongelap [Island]* appears suitable for resettlement now should not be lost sight of. The Rongelap people should ask themselves what further evidence do they want, or what steps taken, to make them feel comfortable about this. Will they ever feel comfortable about it? [It is essential that they be satisfied before they return.]* *Bracketed material added to this edition is for clarification. 5000650