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SUMMARY

1.

Surveys were made in

1954 to 1958 to

determine the

geographical limits of the radioactive contamination from

the tests in the central Pacific Ocean.
2.

Collections of biological samples and soils were made

at one test site island

3.

(Bikini)

and ten

"off-site"

islands.

The gross beta radioactivity decreased with distance

from the test site;

in 1956 and 1958 islands within a 130-

mile radius contained at least ten times as much radioac-

tivity as the other islands.
4.

The levels of radioactivity also were related to direc-

tion from the test site.

In 1955 the islands to the east

contained high levels of radioactivity.
Tarawa,

In 1956 and 1958

800 miles southeast of the test site,

low levels whereas Kapingamarangi,
distance to the southwest,
amounts of radioactivity.

contained very

approximately the same

contained significantly higher
DOE ARCHIVES

radioisotopes present in the majority of the samples.

F

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