lower and if it should be as short as 20 y, the estimated doses would be 64%
lower.

We have experiments under way to determine the environmental

residence time and when data are available, they will be included and the

estimated doses adjusted accordingly.
We have not included shielding from external gamma exposure thatoccurs from
the housing structure and from coral gravel that is commonly spread in a 10-~ to
15-m area around the houses. The people spend considerable time in and around

their houses.©

Therefore, a significant reduction in the external exposure

around the housing area can occur. This reduction from shielding by the house
can be a factor of 2 based on a 30 to 40% occupancy. If coral gravel is spread
around the house, another factor of 2 reduction can be obtained. Depending on

the location of the housing, the use or non-use of coral gravel, and the
percentage of time spent in or near the house, the external dose reduction

could range from 15 to 80%.
(4)

We have used the average values for all of the parameters in the dose models
and the resulting doses fall at about the 68% point on the distribution. If we
used the median values to estimate the doses for the

midpoint of the

distribution, the doses would be lower.
(5)

If there should be a greater

future

reliance on

imported

foods with a

concurrent decrease in consumption of local foods, the estimated doses would
be lower. Also, the BNL diets applied to most atolls are considered to be upper
limits for current lifestyles with a good probability that a typical, average diet

would be less than that listed in the BNL report.-7
The doses to children have been calculated previously and are always less than the

estimated adult doses. 459

That is, the 30- and 50-y integral doses starting at birth

through 30 or 50 y are less than similar doses calculated for an adult.

If the dietary

intake of 1376, for children is equal to or less than that for adults, the dose to children
will never exceed that to the adult.

41 The data from both the MLSC and BNL diet

surveys indicate that the consumption of key local food items for ages | to 18 are less
than those for adults, and therefore the radionuclide intake would also be less.

54

ArhtydrakeRAHLA6 LS eeeS

(3)

Select target paragraph3