16
by the Laboratory of Radiation Biology, University of Washington,
between March 1954 and March 1959,
and two collections by the
Naval Radiological Defense Laboratory, February 1955 and February
1956.
Analyses of some of the samples were made by the Health and
Safety Laboratory of the Atomic Energy Commission.
In addition,
teams of medical experts have been conducting periodic medical
examinations of the Rongelapese.
toring
The soils and biological moni-
data through 1956 have been summarized by Dunning
(1957).
It was recognized that while monitoring of the biota for
radioactive contamination is essential to an immediate estimate
of potential hazards,
application.
the information so gained is limited in
Understanding of the processes involved in the
movement of radioisotopes throughout the physical and biological
system of the atoll is essential if it is hoped to arrive at basic
conclusions of broader applicability.
From such basic conclusions
it might then be possible to predict the consequences of future
contamination of similar areas and possibly the development of
practical methods of reducing radioisotopic levels in foods of
the area.
It was also recognized that the total ecology of the
area should eventually be understood in as great detail as possible
in order to understand the processes by which the radioisotopes
move from the soil to plants and probably to the sea,
lagoon bottom to the marine life and sea birds,
the land.
from the
thence back to
Obviously this is an ambitious concept involving many