A979
BROOKHAVEN
NATIONAL
LABORATORY
MEMORANDUM
DATE:
April 14, 19480
TO:
V.
P. Bond
FROM:
J.
Naidu,
SUBJECT:
Public Law 96-205 Research Proposals
A
N.
Me
Greenhouse
BEST COPY AVAILABLE
’
Public Law 96-205, which was enacted on March 12, 1980 requires, as one
of its mandates, that DOE come up with an educational program for the Marshallese on radiation and its effects.
The program, when carried out, should
help the Marshallese to understand nuclear radiation and in doing so, assure
themselves that their unrealistic fears will be minimized and that the
measures aimed at reducing radiation exposure will be effective.
In view of
this mandate, it is felt that BNL should draw up a comprehensive program on
education on radiation and its effects for the Marshallese.
It is also felt
that BNL should be the lead laboratory in this educational effort since it
was BNL that instituted the first educational program on this subject.
To
supplement this statement, a brief history of our past educational efforts is
outlined below:
It was during the Sept. '76 survey trip to Rongelap that Dr. Knudsen was
approached by the people of Rongelap with the request as to whether it was
possible for someone from BNL to stay on the island and talk to them about
vadiation.
Being culturally close to them, Dr. Jan Naidu seemed to be the
most likely candidate and indeed a direct request was made by the people of
Rongelap for Dr. Naidu's return.
As a result of this request, the Medical
Department and S&EP Division petitioned Dr. Weyzen to fund the educational
effort and in January 1977, Dr. Naidu proceeded to Rangelap.
Six weeks were
spent on Rongelap. Senator Ataji Balos of the Congress of.Micronesia was made
aware of this program and soon a request was received from Utirik for a similar program on their island.
Senator Balos was also informed.
Very soon, it
came to be known all over the Marshalls that we had conducted an educational
program in Rongelap and Utirik on radiation. The visit to Utirik was made in
April/May 1978,
At that time, Dr. Naidu had the opportunity to meet the
High Commissioner, Mr. Adrian Winkel in Majuro and he was apprised of our
efforts.
Also at this meeting, Mr.
Oscar DeBrum and Mr. Roger Ray were present.
Actually, Mr. Winkel and Mr. DeBrum wondered whether such programs could be
extended to their own staff. Mr. Amata Kubua indicated to us at that time
that he was aware of our program and commended us on our efforts.
Summaries
CFT
of the lectures were sent to Mr. Winkel, Mr. DeBrum and to DOE Headquarters.
A letter was also sent to Dr. Burr (DOE) in February 1978 outlining the educational program.
The educational effort was also discussed at the first Marshall Islands contractor's meeting held at Livermore during June 1977 at which
time, Mr. Roger Ray remarked that the effort was indeed humanitarian.
Two
Papers on our educational program were presented at the Health Physics Society
meetings in July 1979 and December 1979.
It was also noted that when Mr. Ataj
Balos visited BNL in June 1979, he was hoping that we would continue our
educational effort in the Marshalls.
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