ABSTRACT
The task has been to determine whether or not DOE's 1982 Report

proved that Rongelap Island is safe for habitation. The island was
contaminated in 1954 during the testing of nuclear weapons.
It should be borne in mind that the dosage under discussion is

current dosage, e.g.,

1954.

from 1990 to 2020, and not that from exposure in

The current dosage over a 30-year period is a matter of 3 ren,

whereas the original exposure was one of 190 rem in 2 days.

The evidence used by DOE plus additional and more recent information

have been reviewed.

Rongelap Island is safe for habitation by adults provided that the
diet is equivalent to that formerly used.
I do not believe that such a
diet would present any difficulty.
Measurement of plutonium excretion in the urine of Rongelap
residents (1981) shows very great variation. The matter is a potential

cause of concern and should be studied although it is not associated with

overexposure.

The dose to infants and small children is another potential cause of
concern. Preliminary findings from a diet survey indicate, however, that
the dosage is not excessive. This study should be continued.
The whole-body counting for cesium should be resumed to establish a
base line for later work at the time of resettlement.
oll

In the course of planning toftesettlement, the fact that Rongelap
Island appears safe for resettlement now should not be lost sight of.

Al

Planning tofresettlement should consider the possible use of

potassium-salt treatment of the soil and soil removal as studied at
Bikini.
To obtain a brief summary of the key facts of dosage and the more

general, but important human factors that will affect decision-making,

the reader is referred to Section 4.5 (Dose Summary) and to Section 5
(Discussion and Recommendations.)

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