4018.5 ca ; eoSi YY bias 1 1ba f ad tik be Huei PAUL G. ROGERS, FLA. CHAIMMAN David £. EATTOAFicLD t1, WA, sauce en FPRTYCA, AC, HCWRY A. WAXWAR, COOP, MCS HM. SCHCUER, N.Y, anontwmae: J, Ul, Mo SRONOW MAGUIRE,Hats RICHARD _ OTTINGE R, M.Y. TIM LEE CARTER, KY, JAMES T. @RMOTHILL, N.C . * boc euuairz,man e cow SAMUEL LL DEVINE, GHIO (ex orercea) DOUG WALGAEN, FA, MARLEY O ETAGGEME, WL VAL (cx orricie) ' CAE ny Re i> ~ RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING i ped PHONE (202) 225-4952 ‘ r Congr ess of the Cinite d States Mouse of Representatives + re 7S Subrommittee on Wealth and the Cnbironment : ’ of the i ‘* floes fat yu , =? le U MESO I Ge Ped Washington, B.C. 20515 April 21, 1978 Dr. Harold Brown Secretary of Defense The Pentagon Dear Mr. Secretary: We are writing to express our concern and to request an explanation from you regarding the Department of Defense's participation in the cleanup of radioactive particles and debris remaining on Enewetak Atoll. It is our understanding that work is underway and that it is being performed under the direction of the Defense Nuclear Agency with personnel from all service branches assigned to the actual on-site cleanup work. Our Subcommittee'’s work in the area of health effects of ionizing ra- diation, in particular the possible effects of the atomic testing program on military test participants, along with the number of scientific studies which link low-level radiation and cancer, clearly demonstrate that serious questions remain unanswered about radiation hazards. Because of this, we would like specific information regarding the Defense Department's participation in the Enewetak cleanup and about what protective measures are being taken. In particular, what are the radioactive isotopes to be removed from the islands in the atoll and how would the servicemen's duties expose them to these materials? What are the radiation-exposure standards being applied in the Enewetak work and what procedures are being followed to insure that those standards are strictly enforced? What actual exposures are expected for the military workers? How are the men being protected against inhalation and ingestion or absorption of the radioactive material? The Enewetak cleanup, of course, has been authorized and funded by Congress. Since the work must continue, we would urge; however, that, based on the potential risk as demonstrated by the experience with the testing program, you might want to consider-using volunteersonly in the cleanup work. Furthermore, we strongly believe that the participants should be fully apprised of the known and potential risks of the exposures 0040 wm(9515 ‘feor'