20, Radiological Resurveys.
Plans are currently being
developed for a continuing and long range program for radiological resurveys on and around the Marshall Island.
The
principle objective will be to monitor the environmental
contamination especially from the viewpoint of estimating the
strontium-90 intake of the Rongelapese,
21. Animals Living on Fongelap.
Of considerable interest
are the results obtained from animals (swine, chickens, ducks,
rats) living on the island of Rongelap at the time of the fallout
on March 1,
time.
195%.
These. were collected and sacrificed serially in
The last group of animals was collected and sacrificed
about two years after the initial fallout.
Like all of the
other previous examinations there were no gross nor pathological
changes in the animals that could be definitely ascribed to
radiation,
The estimated external gamma dose was near 500
roentgens for the two years.
22, Of equal interest is the body burden of strontium-90
in these animals.
The analyses have not been completed but
Table Two (annex "C" to Appendix "A"} is indicative of the data.
These animals have continued to live (with their normal eating
habits) in the environment during the time when the fission
product intake by way of direct contamination was optimum and
the strontium-90 was highest in the soil-plant-animal cycle.
Also, due to their relatively short life span, it would be
expected that their body burdens had approached equilibrium
values.
These data support the conclusion above that the
estimated future body burden of the Rongelapese (under the
condition stated) would be substantially less than 100 yye of
sr9° per gram of caleiun.
¢ Eneroy
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Appendix "A"
/