AO’L7 ES
COMMENTS ON DRAFT EIS
CLEAN-UP,
REHABILITATION,
RESETTLEMENT
OF ENEWETAK ATOLL - MARSHALL ISLANDS
The analysis of this proposed action is divided into two
sections:
(1) Radiological Aspects; and (2) Other Environ-
mental Aspects.
Radiological Aspects
Current Sampling Needs
A great amount of sampling and analysis has been done and
the magnitude of the radioactive contamination has been
relatively well defined.
However, there are two areas in
which more information is needed to aid in decision making:
(a)
The water quality of
the brackish water
lens needs to
be determined for those islands to be inhabited before
a Gecision is made to use the water.
Radiological,
bacteriological,
and chemical quality should be deter-
mined for a period of at least 12 months.
(b)
Airborne radioactivity, especially plutonium, needs to
be determined over a period of at least a year on all
islands to be inhabited and on other heavily contaminated islands after chean-up and before lifting of
quarantine.
Due to the
large amount of plutonium on
the atoll and the uncertainties in predicting resuspension factors it is very important that the actual
conditions be determined rather than calculated.
It
is
surprising
that uranium
in air filter samples.
Future
It
isotopes were not detectable
Were analysis made for uranium?
Sampling
is apparent
(and
recognized
in the Draft EIS)
that
regular monitoring will be necessary for many years after
resettlement and
should
include air,
water,
food,
and body
burdens of the Enewetakese.
This requires some agency to
accept the responsibility and obtain the funding for this
necessary
follow through.
ee
its