return into an area were postponed for one year after fallout, the
radiological situation probably would have been adequately appraised,
contaminated area, more than normal precautions might be expected in
regard to occupancy of the more protective types of buildings and reduc-
tion of time spent out-of-doors.
Of course, greater degrees of contamination could result from
multiple overlapping fallout patterns.
There is a need for continuing
studies of these problems.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION
Radioactive contamination of an area will, of course, influence agricultural pursuits.
An evaluation of these problems in-
volves complex and difficult studies which will not be attempted here.
In terms of civil defense, however, there is one phase that should be
noted here.
The relatively heavy fallout that occurred on some of the
Marshall Islands in March 1954 provides the most direct data.
Since
the time of this fallout there have been 10 radiological and biological
surveys of these islands.
All of these data are summarized in a report
prepared by the Atomic Energy Commission and in press with the Government
Printing Office.
There are strikingly wide variances in the degree of gross
contamination in the soils and in the plant and animal life.
-17-
Likewise,
ry
Moreover, with the return of a populace into a known
wee 6
cussed by others.)
(This subject will be disa eee
and decontamination operations initiated.