Dose Reassessment for Rongelap
and Utirik

HA~O02-01-01

CONTRACTOR NAME

CODE

Associated Universities, Inc.

20£.

DATE PREPARED

BUDGET AND REPORTING CODE

TITLE

BNL

03/31/80

WP NUMBER

TASK NO.

REY. NO.

0

Technical Progress cont.

ash” the fallout material that settled on the Japanese fishing vessel.
These
samples should provide the most accurate characterization of the fallout.
Prelim—
inary computer simulations

of

fallout

transportation and deposition have been com-

pleted.
Data analysis of the recent diet and life style study has been completed.
Discussion with scientists and technical people who were involved with the BRAVO
test is being continued.
Analysis of the Marshallese teeth samples for Pu isotopes
is in progress.

Expected Progress in BY-2 (FY 1980).
A final report on the diet and life style for the Marshallese will be completed.
The computer simulation of fallout will also be competed.
Thyroid glands
from the exposed Marshallese will be analyzed for 99Tc and 1297,
Analysis of
the “Bikini-ash” will be done as soon as we get an aliquot of the sample.
[t is
also expected that data on the exposed Japanese fishermen will be made available at
that time.
Preliminary analysis of the data generated so far will be made using
existing models.
The results will be extrapolated to present times so as to test
the validity of the models used.
Expected Progress in BY-l1

(1981).

Final dose estimates to the exposed inhabitants of Utirik and Rongelap should
be completed.
The methodology developed will be extended to Likiap and other
islands which were on the “fringe” of the fallout pattern.
20¢.

Future Accomplishments.

The techniques and expertise developed in the course of this study could be
used to reassess doses to population in other areas subjected to exposure from
fallout or even those resulting from occupational situations in the past.
20h.

Relationship to Other Projects.
a.

dent

to

This study will help establish dose estimates from the time of the inci~
the

present,

and will complement

the aerial survey

for external

radiation

measurements, over these islands, which has been completed.
Together they should
present a reliable picture of doses received by the populations and also enable
dose estimates to be projected into the future.
b.
This study will be in close conjunction with the BNL Radiological Safety
Program in the Marshall Islands (i{A~02-01-02) and with related programs of the

BNL Medical Department .(HA-02-01-C1).

Continued collaboration with the Univer-

sity of Washington, Laboratory of Radiation Ecology, and the Battelle Pacific
Northwest Laboratory will be maintained in the area of sample analysis and data
interpretation.

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