Comparisons of measures oxposure rate
uy
at these sites.
ne
ek
Majuro with those at Kwajalein, Wotje and Ailuk Atolls in the
Sle Ll}
contention;
however,
tend to support this
firm conclusions must await the publicaNorthern Marshall
Islands
Radiologica?
2
is
[Tt should be noted that exposure rates meas tred at Rongelap
and Utirik Atolls,
respectively,
in the northern and northeastern Marshalls
are significantiy higher than
and southern islancs.
the
central
x
Rongelap and Utirik are known to have
een contaminated by the Bravo
Virtually all of the
those in
Test on Marcn 1,
1954,
and
contemporary incremental exposure rates
above background at these sites is attributable to residual '?’Cs
contamination in the soil and vegetation.
The reconstructed exposure rate at Majuro
close to the measured value.
(Table 35)
is reasonably
The difference is attributed to
the exposure rate contribution from “°K in biota (for which no
assessment was
included in the calculated value},
ties in the soil analyses.
and to uncertain-
Tables + and 5 vresent similar analyses
for Ponape and Truk, both high vo
group to the west of the Marshalls.
nic islands
in the Caroline
These islands differed
From Majuro by virtue of the contributions of the uranium and
thorium chains
in their volcanic soils,
and their higher annual
and calculated exposure rates
at Truk were excellent.
The significant difference between
the two values at Ponape is attrioute2 orimarily to uncertainties