16
The total dose received was the sum of the external and in ernal
doses. The external whole-body dose was estimated by measuring the
exposure in air {e.g., at 1 meter above ground) and applying a actor
The
based ultimately on measurements with phantoms to the meter rea ing.
internal dose was estimated by the Livermore group on the basis of an
assumed diet and the analysis of the radionuclide contents of R ngelap
food products in it.
The lagoon and its fish were found to be a trivial source f dose.
Ground water (well water) was an unimportant source, since its ctivity
was very low and, in any case, the people relied heavily on cat hment of
rain rather than wells (Noshkin et al 1981).
Before considering the data, the nonprofessional reader ma
consult Note 6 which explains the radiological usage of such te
exposure and dose, and the definition of their units. It may a
noted here that my use of the term whole-body dose (internal) u
signifies the committed effective dose equivalent; the tissue
(internal) is usually the committed dose equivalent. The Liver
Laboratory calculated its doses as integral doses, i.e., for a
period of time, the annual dose for each year was summed.
wish to
ms as
so be
ually
ose
ore
tated