18 October 1976 The Honorable Peter Coleman, Acting High Commissioner Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands Saipan, Mariana Islands 96950 Dear Mr. Coleman: As you know there have been certain complaints about health care by the people living on Utirik and Rongelap Atolls. The purpose of this letter is to solicit your advice and assistance with regard to a course of action for an extended health care program for the people on these twe atolls, as well as the people returning to live at Bikini and Eniwetok and the organization of a meeting with the Marshallese to discuss these proposals. ERDA has sponsored and strongly supported the team of doctors carrying out special medical examinations on these people over the past 22 years. It is our belief that most of the present complaints are based on misunderstandings and that it should be possible to clarify and resolve the issues to everyone's satisfaction. Accordingly, a meeting was held at ERDA headquarters on September 23, 1976, to discuss these matters. The meeting was attended by Drs. Conard and Kotrady from the examining team and other representatives from Brookhaven National Laboratory, ERDA and the Department of Interior. The following proposals were agreed upon: 1. Though there is no likelihood that any detectable radiation effects in the unexposed people living on Rongelap and Utirik will develop, and though these people have had the opportunity of being examined and treated by doctors of the medical team, both at the time of the annual surveys and on quarterly visits of the Resident Physician, a special effort would be made to systematically examine and treat all’ the people, including children, living on these atolls who wish to be examined. The exposed Rongelap and Utirik people and the unexposed Rongelap control group, as in the past, would receive special examinations for radiation effects and this group would continue to be entitled to the benefits of Congress of Micronesia's PL 5-52 as outlined in the agreement between ERDA and The Department of Interior. om |): ere ae f> 2. It igs not expected that there will be any detectable radiation effects in the people of Bikini and Eniwetok returning to live in the designated areas of their atolls. Therefore, no special examinations for radiation effects are considered necessary in these people. However, in view of possible psychological effects of living on these atolls, it is considered advisable to broaden their general health care in order to reassure these people. Such health care would include an annual medical checkup in addition to being seen at sick call on a regular basis. Routine checks of urine for radioactivity and whole body radiation measurements (non-medical procedures) would continue as before. Such continuing checks insure that any unexpected increase in radioactivity would be detected long before any hazardous levels were accumulated in personnel. The detection of minute amounts of plutonium