. smaller received higher doses than adult thyroids with the same radioiodine burden. The occurrence of thyroid nodules in the Utirik population further complicated our ‘analysis of the situation especially when their exposure was considered negligible in comparison to the Rongelap population. b. The visit of the Japanese scientists who mentioned their own experience following theix exposure to nuclear bombs was further disquieting. This was also picked up by the political leaders of the Marshalls and construed as a deliberate exposure to facilitate research on the effects of radiation exposure on human beings and that the Marshallese were indeed "guinea pigs". c. The results of the environmental programs were often interpreted by scientists in differing ways among themselves adding to the confusion of the Marshallese. dad. Small island life is particularly conducive to the perpetuation of fear and rumors especially where little or nothing is understood about radiation. e. Their subtle mode of communications, many times referred to as "the coconut telegraph”, has resulted in widesprea¢ @iscussions of the problems at Bikini, which if translated to the situation at Ronsgelap, coul: mean that they too would have to evacuate. f. Radiation in their perception, became the cause of all their problems, such as, i. arrowroot plant blight, which is presently found throughout the Marshalls, ii. iii. g. increase in breadfruit tree parasite infestation, and body pain or any other symptom that could not be explained. they are living on an island where radiation is higher than natural background, but the decision to leave and return to the island was not of their making. In short, our efforts and services to the Marshallese have been misunderstood, best explanations not believed, or due to education and language barriers, only vaguely comprehended. After 24 years, the people still believe that their individual islands or atolls contain dangerous levels of radioactivity (which they, for lack of an adequate word in Marshallese, refer to as “poison") and despite explanations to the contrary, they are still concerned about eating island produce. This situation has