HQOO9S
BROOKHAVEN NATLONAL LABORATORY
.
MEDICAL DEPARTMENT
FOSTTION PAPER ON THE BURTON BILIL
Public
Law 96-205
(the Burton Bill),
PL 96-205
enacted in March 1980,
requires
the Secretary of the Interior to provide for the people of the atolls of
Bikini, Enewetak,
Rongelap,
and Utirik, and for the people of such other
atolls as may be found to be or to have been exposed to radiation from the
nuclear weapons testing program, a program of medical care and treatment
and environmental research and monitoring for any injury,
illness or condition
which may be the result directly or indirectly of such nuclear weapons testing program.
The plan for this program developed in conjunction with a number
of other Federal agencies,
contractors,
and representatives
from the
Marshallese shall set forth as appropriate to the situation, condition, and
needs of the individual atoll peoples:
1,
"An integrated, comprehensive health care program including
primary, secondary, and tertiary care with special
not exclusive')
(implies
'but
emphasis upon the biologic effects of ionizing
‘radiation;
2.
A schedule for the periodic comprehensive survey and analysis
of the radiologic status of the atolls to and at appropriate
intervals,
but not less frequently than once every five years,
the development of an updated radiation dose assessment, together with an estimate of the risks associated with the
predicted human exposure,
3.
for each such atoll;
and
An education and information program to enable the people of
such atolls to more fully understand nuclear radiation and
its effects;"....
"
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