2

i CONFIRMED TO BE UNCLASSIFIED
AUTHORITY DOE/SA-20

RADIOACTIVIZY IN COPRA

BY D.R. GILSON. DATE £-/6-94f
Abd
(CH

1

The decision to return the Bikinians to their home Atoll was
based in part on the consideration of radiation exposures of those
who will reside in homes on the islands of Bikini and Eneu and who
will consume locally produced foods.
the primary consideration.

The health of the people was

Several simple measures have been recommended

which are expected to insure that exposures of Bikini residents remain
within acceptable levels.

”

In addition to insuring that radiation exposures are at acceptable
levels, there are other considerations.

People along with some quanti-

ties of goods, household possessions, and food will come to the Atoll.
At least two important materials will go from the Atoll, e. &-, serap
metal and copra.

Any radioactivity associated with metal scrap would

appear not to be a problem if this scrap ‘is monitored before shipment
from the Atoll.

Although sale of scrap metal will. be an important source

of income for the returning population, copra is the money crop and the
chief source of income.
The Trust Territory egriculturist estimates that with the replanting
“now under way, the Bikinians can produce as much copra in a month as
they once produced in a whole year.

This earlier annual production has

been reported to be about. 80,000 pounds or 40 tons.

Future production

2567

Select target paragraph3