CONFIRMEDTO BE UNCLASSIFIED AUTHORITY DOE/SA-20 BY D. R. GILSON, DATE 4-6-7 fred t RADIATION SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS AT BIKINI KTO MAY 1970 In response to an inquiry by the High Commissioner of the Trust Territory of the Pacific, the following general statement is provided regarding radiation safety of Bikini Atoll: On Tuesday, August 27, 1968, the ship James M. Cook arrived at Kili Island bringing the High Commissioner, then Mr. William Norwood, representatives of the U. S. Department of Interior, Atomic Energy Commission, and Department of Defense, and members of the press. A primary purpose of the visit was to discuss with the Bikini people the recent decision that they be returned to their Atoll andto answer questions regarding conditions in the Atoll. At that meeting there were questions on whether the islands were safe and whether food was safe to eat. With Mr. Chutaro acting as interpreter, the AEC representative told the Bikinians thet the question of safety of returning to the Atoll and using foods found there had been carefully studied. A Comittee of experts meeting in Washington, D. C. had concluded that returning the people to Bikini Atoll would not offer a significant threat to their health and safety but certain simple measures should be taken to further reduce radiation exposure. experts were summarized. The recommendatiorof this Comnittee of The people were tola that for the present, only _ the Bikini-Eneu complex is to be rehabilitated. For qtsif Sp ' While they may go any- a P23ser B08 - ial a3