3. 1975-1978: : : : . : During this period an increase in body burdens of 137 Cs and 90 Sr were detected and gamma spectrographic analysis of the people on the island in 1977 showed a sharp rise, an elevenfold increase in 137¢s. (See Table 1). Due to this finding it was suggested to the TT that complete food subsidization of the Bikini people might help reduce the consumption of locally grown foods and thus reduce their exposure. This was carried out and also, as recommended, increased supplies of powdered milk were sent to the island to increase their dietary calcium and thus help reduce the absorption of 995y. By April 1978 the body burdens of 13766 showed a further increase of twofold. By this time coconuts had reached maturity and had become plentiful and to a much lesser extent, pandanus and breadfruit were available. It was apparent that in spite of the increased food subsidy the people were eating more locally grown foods. At the time of the 1978 survey, a water shortage had become acute and the people admitted having drunk coconut milk for this reason. They were admonished again to refrain from eating foods grown on Bikini and it was suggested that they get coconuts from Enue island on a regular basis for consumption. (It was not known at that time that the coconuts on Eneu had also been found to have higher 137cs levels than previously reported.) 137 Table I (Miltenberger et al.) shows the increase in mean levels of Cs and 9%sr in the Bikini people since 1974. Preliminary data on 99sr in the 1978 urines indicate that levels of this isotope did not change markedly and did not parallel the increase in Cs. This may be a favorable effect of the dietary calcium supplement. A marked increase in body burdens of 137og was noted (to a mean level of about 2 Ci). The additional dose from 29sr appeared to be small. Rough estimates indicate that the whole body dose (internal plus external) as measured in 1978 would average near or slightly above 500 mrad/yr, which is at or slightly above the maximum permissible level. These findings prompted the TT to remove the people from Bikini. This was accomplished in September of 1978. Their forced exile is a bitter disappointment to the people and they still have hopes of returning to their atoll to live, even if only to Enue. 4. Medical Examinations: At the time of the Bikini survey in April 1978, our entire medical team was present on Bikini for two days and we offered to carry out complete medical examinations on all who so desired. About 140 people -- men, women, children and babies -- came aboard the ship for exams. Only three people living on the island were not examined. These examinations included those of children by a pediatrician, pelvic examinations in women by a gynecologist, electrocardiographic study on people over 40 yrs of age, thyroid examinations and bloed and urine checks. The people appeared to be generally in a good state of health and nutrition (equal to that of other islanders examined) and no thyroid disorders or evidence of malignancy was noted. There were no findings which could be ascribed to radiation effects. The people were cooperative and friendly and most grateful for the examinations. Csi -5- gp, 2780