SBA THOUY TYNOILVWN SHL LV GQ3I0NGOUdaY REPORT OF THE AD HOC COMMITTEE TO EVALUATE THE RADIOLOGICAL HAZARDS OF RESETTLEMENT OF THE BIKINI ATOLL The Committee was convened to consider the question of whether the Bikini Atoll is safe for human habitation with respect to the radiological hazard. The detailed history of the various relocations of the Bikini natives is described in the appended material provided by Mr. Tobin (Appendix I)*. We have examined the documents listed in Appendix II. In addition, we spent one and one-half days in detailed discussions with members of the 1967 Bikini Survey Team and other experts as shown in Appendix III. On the basis of the information provided, we have reached the following conclusions and recommendations: l. The exposures to radiation that would result from the repatriation of the Bikini people do not offer a significant threat to their health and safety. 2. Such exposure may and should be further reduced by the following simple measures: , a. Restrict rehabilitation for the present to the islands of the Bikini-Eneu complex. (Appendix IV) b. Establish the first village and immediate food crops on Eneu. No radiological precautions will be needed on Eneu because of its very low contamination level. (Appendix V) c. Any village construction on Bikini Island. should involve the covering of the site with coral rock as is the local custom. d. Radioactive scrap metal should be removed from the islands adjacent to former shot sites. e. The population of land crabs should be sharply reduced because of their high content of strontium 90, £. If pandanus trees which produce edible fruit are planted on Bikini Island, two inches of topsoil should be removed from the planting sites. The area of removal from each site should be equal to the area covered by the crown of mature trees. (more)