because of the radiation levels on the atoll. There have been many tests of soil, plants, whater on the island, and measurements of urine and radiation in the people living on Rongelap. ‘These tests show that the levels are low and they are getting less and less, The little bit of radiation left on the island would not be expected to, cause any health effects. We are pleased that Dr. Naidu was able to visit you and explain about radiation and its effects. We hope to have other scientists, possibly some from other countries, visit Rongelap in the future to continue this educational program, At the time of the fallout in 1954 the vadiation dose to the thyroid glands was higher than the dose to the rest of the body because of selective absorption by the thyroid of radioiodines inhaled and ingested from contaminated food and water at the time of the fallout (see Table I). The radia- tion dose to the thyroid glands of the Rongelap people was estimated to be about 335 rads for adults and up to 700-1400 rads for children. By the time the people returned to Rongelap the radioiodines had virtually disappeared so that no further sugnificant thyroid exposure was possible to anyone living on the island since that time, There has been a false belief among the people that thyroid nodules that develop in unexposed people living on Rongelap are caused by lingering radiation. The dose from the lingering radiation is too small to produce thyroid effects. Thyroid nodules occur in people living throughout the Marshall Islands which are, of course, not due to radiation exposure. TABLE I 1954 FALLOUT DOSE (RADS) Utirik (a) Whole Body ‘(b) Thyroid Adult Children Rongelap L4 L75 30 30 - 95 335 335 - 1400