the end of the first year the accumulated dose would probably not exceed 0.5
rem with lower doses in succeeding years."

(p.

21)

As to internal contami-

nation, the report stated that if land crabs '(which selectively concentrate
gr90) were eliminated from the diet" a value which "has been considered

allowable by the U.S. National Academy of Sciences report."
Despite these reassuring assumptions, the Committee takes no great
pleasure in noting the results of subsequent tests and examinations which

increased by 60 times during the first year after the Rongelapese had been
Even as late as

|

returned, and that strontium 90 increased by some 20 times.

wage

The BNL five and six year report indicated that body burdens of cesium 137 had

tee

and remain relatively stable over a period of years as a result of fresh fallout.

ne re

indicated that body burdens of radioactivity in the Rongelapese did increase

plus the realization that the longer they stayed on Eijit the more their later

life patterns would be changed.

One of the Committee's consultants
eee ee

estimated

oe

While the Committee is inclined to agree with this assumption -- and it is just

—_—

He also estimated that such a small amount was not likely to be harmful.

e

jo
eget

102

\

that basically “all ionizing radiation . . .is harmful," and thus any additional

o

The Committee believes

-.

that, an assumption -- it is also disinclined to agree for reasons previously

mentioned but which are worth repeating at this point.

|

’

in additional radiation from residual radioactivity and fallout from recent
tests.

Wren. -

=

roughly that the Rongelapese had received no more than a three percent increase

foci

before testing had ended was the desire of the people themselves to go home,

—

Undoubtedly a major factor in returning the Rongelapese

Pm

seven year report).

ene o?

time the mean of that of the medical team carrying out the study (0.048) (p. 42,

draee-y. a

1960 the cesium levels had risen from 14.1 muC, in 1959, to 14.7 muC and was "300

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