i
é
s
f
Chapter
5
EVACUATION and DECONTAMINATION
I
i
§
5.1
EVACUATION OF PERSONNEL TO KWAJALEIN
Eight men (first eight in alphabetical order) were evacuated from Rongerik via plane
at 1245, 2 March. The remaining twenty men were evacuated via plane at 1800.
5.2
DECONTAMINATION PROCEDURES
Upon arrival at Kwajalein, the personnel from Rongerik, the evacuation planes and
their crews, were subjected to a thorough decontamination regime.
An emergency decontamination area had been established. This area consisted of a
large shower room and two buildings for storing contaminated clothing. The buildings
and the surrounding area were enclosed with a temporary wall of burlap.
Each man took from 5 to 11 showers on 2 March.
5.8 RESIDUAL EXTERNAL CONTAMINATION ‘OF RONGERIK PERSONNEL
The preliminary readings of the external radioactive contamination of the Rongerik
personnel (on 2 March) ranged from 5 to 250 mr/hr. Following repeated showers, the
counts were reduced to from 4 to 25 mr/hr. The decontamination program was continued
through 6 March, with readings being made on each successive day. These readings are
shows in Table 5.1.
45