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12
RADIATION STANDARDS, INCLUDING FALLOUT
Representative Pricr, Senator Aiken?
Senator Aiken. I have one question.
A few years ago our attention wascalled to certain Indian groups
that had
been living on certain coastal areas, I think on the monazite
sands, for centuries, constantly exposed to something like 20 times
what was considered to be the normal safe exposure to radiation. At
that time we were told that there would be a study made of this
situation. Has there been any study made and what was found as a
reason for these people living for generations under what would normally—-or what was then called unsafe conditions? Somebody must
have made studyofthat.
Representative Pricn. I think Dr. Dunham is in the audience. I
think they had somethingto do with this matterat one time.
Could you reply to that question ?
Dr. Dunuam. I will attempt to. Two things have happened.
One, the Indian Government has madea study of the actual exposures
to the population living there. There was a meeting held by WHO
to discuss this particular problem, particularly from the standpoint
of possible genetic effects, pointing out the problems involved in mak-
ing the study. You have a finite population. It is in an area which
is not highly developed though it 1s near a first-rate medical school.
I do not think, to answerthe question specifically, that the study has
been madeat the present time.
Senator Aiken. But the situation still remains?
Dr. Dunwam. Still remains.
Senator Aiken. The results of the study would be interesting, it
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sands, their exposure was a certain numberof times greater or a cer-
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Dr. DunHam. Yes; I would like very much to see this study done.
Chairman Houtrretp. Mr. Chairman, I would like to clear up one
pomt with Dr. Dunham. The people that live on the monazite
1 ed Clg cet babe Milioe
tet
Senator Armen. I think a better question than “Whois going to do
it?” is “Whois keeping it from being done?”
og EAB
;
a
tain number of degrees greater than the normal exposure of people
throughout the world. But it had nothing to do with safe or unsafe.
Senator Aiken used the words “20 times the safe amount.” I think
that the words “the normal amount of background radiation” should
have been used.
Dr. Dunuam. Thatis correct.
Chairman Horrrrerp. I am not saying that the exposure from the
monazite sands was safe or unsafe, but the comparison was as against
normal exposure from an average normal background radiation
throughout the world.
Dr. Dunnam. Thatis right.
Senator Anprrson. Could you tell us why nobody followed up the
study. It was said that it was going to be done 3 years ago.
Dr. Dunuam. I hear rumors from time to time that it may get
accomplished. There are problems.
Chairman Horio. Whois going to do it?
Dr. Dunuam.It is a little of both involved. I think many people
would like to see it done. It is not an easy situation in that particular
province.
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