—" STRIP a 470 RADIOLOGICAL CLEANUP OF ENEWETAK ATOLL resulted. Later, during soil-cement operations, contaminated soil and debris were placed in the Donut Hole without being recorded in daily inspection logs. Consequently, while indications are that the Materials were encapsulated in slurry, there are no records that the procedures Were checked or that managers were assured that the integrity of the containment process was being maintained. An investigation by the Army Chief of Engineers after the dome was completed indicated that there were some deviations from the POD design and some construction deficiencies. However, according to the investigation conclusions, they did not affect the adequacy, durability, o, use of the facility, and the structure was sufficiently stable to achieve the design intent. !45 A subsequent, more thorough investigation by the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) was requested by the Director, DNA. Specifically, the NAS wasaskedto assessthe effectiveness of the Cactus Crater structure in preventing harmful amountsof radioactivity from becoming available for internal or external human exposure and to recommend whether the assessment should be reviewed at intervals in the future.!46 Included within this assessment was an evaluation of the permanence of the structure and an assessment of the concentration of radioactive materials contained therein. In March 1980, a team from the NAS visited the atoll to conducta series of tests to develop information with which to provide their assessment. These tests included the taking of core samples of the dome and keywall and coring in depth through thesoil-cement and tremiefill of the crater and dome. Preliminary review of the core samples indicated that, while the concrete was of high quality, there were some keywall and tremie deficiencies which could affect the durability of the crater portion of the structure. On the other hand, there were noindications that the dome would not fulfill its intended purpose, and there waslittle reason to be concerned over the leakage of radiological materials which might result in internal or external human exposure. FINAL QUARANTINE Upon completion of the Runit cleanup, it was the consensus of all concerned (DNA, DOE, DOI and the Enewetak people) that Runit should remain quarantined indefinitely. There were no overt hazards, radiological or otherwise, that were known on theisland or its adjoining reef, and there were no other cleanup actions that could be recommendedresponsibly. However, the possibility would always exist that high levels of plutonium-contaminated subsurface soil could be exposed by wave or storm action. The legal counsel for the Enewetak people, Mr. Ted