Dr. Hal Hollister July 29, 1977 Pada & eating breadfruit and pandanus. The returnees were told not to @at these food sources. In addition, measurable traces of plutonium have been found in their urine. Based on these reports and others we huve receivacd it is apparent that attempts to communicate the risks of contamination have been unsuccessful. Yet, in the near future, return ing natives will be formally provided with specific instruca. tions and recommendations for avoiding "hot spots" and contaminated food sources. Tram our knowledge of the culture and life style of returnees we would predict that many of the recommendations won't be followed and further complicate the total rehabitation effort. Steps must be taken to monitor and assess the behavioral response of returnees to safety recommendations. To accomplish this we would urge ERDA to take the initiative to sponsor a systematic assessment Gf the rehabitation process including a Specific assessment of the behavioral patterns associated with adapting and coping with radiological levels. The assessment would emphasize the behavioral components of the response to gafety standards and relationships with long-termadjustment over the next four years, the pariod of time set aside to complete the rehabitation process. Certain behavioral patterns are likely to emerge that are directly comnected with the preeence of radiation and knowledge of the thyraid problema experiencad by natives at Ronyelap and Utirik. In the course of planning and conducting the assessment, @ number of sgubstantive questions can be raised, as fellows: 1. what adjustments and accommodations will be made by relocatees in response to safety recomendations? To what extent will normal daily life styles be affected? 2. Can ERDA be assured that relocatees will fully comprehend the concept of radiation exposure and the intrinsic rationale for tha imposkttion of safety instructions and reconnendations? 3. What socioculturel norms and sanctions, if any, will emerge that will prevent returnees from frequenting off-limit areas and eating con- taminated food? How will they ba enforced?