At sot ee ee: pn Ry ACIS F Ah Departmentof Energy Washington, D.C. 20545 January 22, 1980 Mrs. Ruth G. Van Cleve Director Office of Territorial Affairs U.S. Department of the Interior Office of the Secretary Washington, D.C. 20240 Dear Mrs. Van Cleve: Last May at a meeting in Washington, D.C., Mr. Anton DeBrum presented to the U.S. Government claims that the people of Likiep Atoll were experiencing a higher than normal incidence of thyroid disease. At that time, he requested that the U.S. Department of Interior and the U.S. Department of Energy investigate this matter. Aw Rn ame et responded positively to Mr. DeBrum's request. Both departments The Department of Interior periodically has made reference to this matter in correspondence with President Kabya and other officials of the Marshall Islands. At present, I am pleased to inform you that contract negotiations between Brookhaven National Laboratory and Tabershaw Occupational Medicine Associates, P.A., (TOMA) of Rockville, Maryland, have been concluded, and that we are prepared to proceed with the first phase of this inquiry. The first phase would be completed in two parts. The first part would involve examination of available hospital and medical records at various locations: possibly Honolulu, Majuro, Kwajalein, Guam and, perhaps, elsewhere. The second part of this phase would consist of a visit by TOMA personnel to Likiep in order to interview the population as appropriate. This phase would help to more clearly determine Meoro or 0. ne | ble sage, gee and characterize the magnitude and extent of the issues raised by Mr. DeBrum. If warranted by the information obtained during the first phase, the second phase will be initiated, in which a medical team subsequently will be sent to Likiep for an examination of the relevant population.