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of the soil as occurred during the stripping operations on Bikini produced
an additional reduction in exposure rates. Soil samples from the other

islands showed varying amounts of ©9Co and 102mgh in addition to the 137¢s.

The reduction in exposure rate due to radioactive decay on these islands
should be much more rapid than for Bikini because of the shorter half lives
of 60¢o and 102mgn, By comparison of the decay curves for these islands
with that for Bikini, it can be seen that within approximately 10 to 15
years only Eneman will have an extérnal background higher than that of

Bikini. It is recommended that a resurvey to verify this projection be
conducted in about 10 years in anticipation of unrestricted use of these
islands which have higher radiation levels than Bikini. In the meantime,
the recommendation of the Ad Hoc Committee restricting rehabitation to
the Bikini-Eneu complex should be followed.
The remaining islands of the atoll are lower in radiation levels than
Bikini and it would appear that a restriction on continuous occupancy

would not be needed. This is particularly true of the Aerokoj, Aerokojiol,
Bikdrin complex where the lowest concentrations of radionuclides and lowest
levels of radiation are found. Coconuts from Aerokoj were lower in 137¢s
and 90sr content than coconuts from Bikini or Eneu.

ment of these islands should be considered.

Agricultural develop-

While the external levels on

Lele are as low as those on the other three islands, the fact that it is
contiguous with Eneman would make it advisable to restrict the use of this

island at the present time. The causeway joining Lele to Bikdrin makes
a logical dividing line for indicating this restriction. Analyses of food
items growing on the atoll indicated mean concentrations of 137¢s and
90Sr which are essentially in agreement with those obtained in 1967. When

new species of food plants are introduced to the atoll, additional analyses:

of mature specimens will be needed, Internal dose estimates have been
performed by Gustafson utilizing the 1967 data and would appear to be valid

for the 1969-1970 survey data as well.

The concentrations of ?9Sr in the food chain would seem to be of
greatest concern with respect to internal dose. Removal of top soil from
the site of newly planted pandanus and possibly breadfruit trees, and the
addition of a calcium supplement to the diet, as recommended by the Ad Hoc
Committee, should be most effective in reducing the dose due to 90sr,
The results from Eneu air samples are comparable with 1968 air concentrations for 239Pu in the United States. Bikini air sample results
range from slightly higher than Eneu to approximately an order of magnitude
higher (for the station exposed to the dust from the jeep traffic on the
lagoon road).

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