been further complicated because the islanders are culturally hesitant to speak of “unpleasant thoughts, they do not respond to questions readily upon being asked, and they do not often reveal their fears and inner thoughts at public meetings. Early Educational Efforts Against this backdrop of misunderstandings, the Department of Energy (previously Energy Research Development Administration and Atomic Energy Commission) began developing methods of communicating the medical and environmental findings to the inhabitants of Rongelap and Utirik. The most direct method used was the village meetings held prior to and after a survey, when through an interpreter, the objectives and the preliminary results of the survey were presented. Effects of Fallout on Rongelap and Utirik" A “Question and Answer Booklet on (TTPI74) was developed and circulated in July 1974 through the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands and the Brookhaven National Laboratory's Medical Division. questions, on radiation, This booklet presented answers to the most often asked radiation effects, radiation in the environment and the medical examinations, in English and Marshallese along with pictures depicting the activity being addressed (Figure 2). A similar booklet entitled "Radiological Conditions at Enewetak Atoll and Protection of Future Residents” 1975 by ERDA. (USERDA75), was produced in March Once again, the booklet presented information on radiation in the environment in English and Marshallese with appropriate illustrations in color 3). (Figure Though these methods were well received, the Marshallese felt that we had over simplified the information which seemed to indicate to them that we had treated them as individuals incapable of understanding what we were saying unless we reduced the technical explanations to a minimum. Furthermore, such booklets appeared to the Marshallese as “impersonal" since all their information gathering has always been through "the spoken word" in an atmosphere of face to face meetings such as village meetings and group conversations. It was therefore felt that the most direct way of informing the Marshallese would be for one of the scientists to live with them on their island. a. In doing so, the scientist would be able to: partake in their activities especially in eating their food and thereby proving to them through example that their food is safe to eat.