St ne ome
-2-
ROY §
1874
Depending upon the results of our periodic radiation surveys at
both Bikini and Enewetak, and the determination of uptake of
radioactivity by food crops, there is a possibility that restrictions
may have to be placed on the use of foods such as pandanus, breadfruit, papaya and bananas which are now‘being cultivated on Bikini
Island. We recommend that any additional housing be constructed
on Eneu, or if this is not feasible, that any further construction on
Bikini Island be deferred until the radiological consequences can
be evaluated.
On July 12, 1970, in our letter to Mr. Coleman, we recommended
that clean coral aggregate from a supply stored on Peter-Oboe be
used for house construction on Bikini Atoll. In May 1972, we con-
firmed that aggregate having low radioactivity levels from Peter-Oboe
was being used for houses under construction on Bikini Island at that
time. However, during this recent visit, Ted Mitchell said the construction contractor had informed him that aggregate from Bikini
Island was being used for house construction, We reaffirm the
earlier recommendation that coral aggregate with low radioactivity
levels from Peter-Oboe should be used in constructing buildings at
Bikini Atoll. Other sources should not be used until they have been
checked for radioactivity.
Furthermore, if some houses on Bikini
Island were indeed constructed with coral agerepate taken from
Bikini Island, we should know which houses are involved so that
additional radiation monitoring can be done inside these houses.
Depending upon the results of these measurements, additional
recommendations may be necessary.
3
Gr
We observed that many of the recently planted coconut trees on
Bikini Island have shown little growth over this past year, and have
turned yellow. Ihope that some agricultural specialist can examine
the condition of these trees and that steps can be taken to improve
the situation.
Finally, the basis for AEC's earlier position on the early return
ofa group to Japtan, was predicated in a large measure on early
commencement of cleanup activities. We assumed that the buildup
of facilities and the other associated support would facilitate implementing the more specific considerations contained in Dr. Liverman's letter of July 18, 1974. In view of the current funding
OT ee ee te gt
Mr. Stanley Carpenter