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INSTITUTE}JFOR ENERGY AND
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
Washington, D.C.

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6935 Laurel
Avenue
Takoma Park,IMD 20912
U.S.A.
Phone: (301) 470-5500
Telex: 65029
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DISSENTING STATEMENT TO "PRELIMINARY REPORT, RONGELAP REASBESSMENT
PROJECT", APRIL 15, 1988*

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Abstract
The data used in the 1982 DOE bilingual report regarding the
§abitability of
Rongelap Island was not adequate.
The conclusions derived from the
ta which was
used are incorrect.
As a consequence, there is the serious possibility that radiation
doses might exceed allowable levels.
The DOE report failed to acknowdlege the existence of plutonium conbentrations in
urine of Rongelap people which exceeded expected levels.
The plutonim problem is
stil] not resolved.
The DOE declared Rongelap Island to be safe unconditionally.
DOE’s dose
assessment is
based on the assumption that a large protion of the d&t consists of
importert food.
This major assumption is omitted in the 1982 DOE repoft.

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A complete survey of radiological conditions is recommended.

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Introduction

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I was nominated as a member of Dr. Kohn’s consulting team by
fhe people of
Rongelap.
In my opinion, the Rongelap Reassessment Project has faile@
to properly
or fully answer the questions asked by Congress in Public Law 99-239, section

103(i).

We have an obligation to the people of Rongelap to affirm tHe safety and

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habitability of the Rongelap Atoll and that has not been done.
The
oject should
not only #6 answer scientific questions and t@ assess whether legal limits for
radiation exposure will be exceeded or not.
The Rongelap people nefd a level of
comfort in regard to the conclusions which is beyond any doubt on
uncertainty.
Unfortunately, Dr. Kohn’s report does not meet this objective.
in

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following

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the

amount of

radiation dose

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My focus
Rongelap.

The

complete

report

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not

provided

prepared.
A more complete statement
final report.

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time

these

will be provided upon

comments

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completion of the

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European office: FEU — institut fir Energie-und Umwetttorschung Heidelberg 6.V., Im Sand 5, 6900 Heidelberg, Federal Republic of

y, Tet. (011-49) 6221-10101

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