The total dose received was the sum of the external and internal doses. The external whole-body dose was estimated by measuring the exposure in air (e.g., at 1 meter above ground) and applying a factor based ultimately on measurements with phantoms to the meter reading. The internal dose was estimated by the Livermore group on the basis of an assumed diet and the analysis of the radionuclide contents of Rongelap food products in it. The lagoon and its fish were found to be a trivial source of dose. Ground water (well water) was an unimportant source, since its activity was very low and, in any case, the people relied heavily on catchment of rain rather than wells (Noshkin et al 1981). Before considering the data, the nonprofessional reader may wish to consult Note 6 which explains the radiological usage of such terms as exposure and dose, and the definition of their units. It may also be noted here that my use of the term whole-body dose (internal) usually signifies the committed effective dose equivalent; the tissue dose (internal) is usually the committed dose equivalent. DOE-1982 used integral doses calculated by the Livermore group, i.e., the annual dose (not committed dose) for each year was summed for the period of exposure. 20