Letter to Roger Ray
September 12, 1984

Page 2

showed excellent agreement. This agreement between measured and
predicted levels constitutes an important overall validation of models
employed in the predictions -- including physical, biological, and
cultural aspects of these models. Publication of this validation was
recommended. The accumilation of data and the validation of models in
recent years would seem to remove any reluctance te apply applicable
U.S. limits to the Marshall Islanders.
An area of remaining uncertainty relates to the transuranic elements,
principally plutonium and americium, where very limited bioassay data

on plutonium excretion yielded much higher radiation dose values than

predicted by models. This is not considered a serious complication
because the transuranics are not predicted to contribute importantly
to the total radiation dose, and analytical problems involving natural
polonium in the urine samples seem to offer a plausible explanation of
the bioassay problem. This problem is being intensively studied and a
resolution may be anticipated within 3 to 6 months -- perhaps sooner.
To assist in this, information on plutonium bioassay methods and the

Leggett and Moss dosimetric models is being forwarded to Dr. Lessard.

With respect to the potential resettlement of Eneu, based on the best
current evidence, it stil] seems unlikely that an Eneu resident,
consuming a mix of local and imported foods (but no significant
quantity from the Island of Bikini), would exceed an exposure of 500
mrem per year.
On yours,

W. J. Bair, Ph.D.
Manager
Environment, Health and
Safety Research Program
WJB: 1m
cc:

Tom Clark, NVO

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