prespiration accumulated served to trap and retain particles of the radioactive dust. Since the Marshallese used a coconut-oil hair dressing, it required a good detergent and brush to adequately decontaminate the hair and head. When scrubbing with brushes caused tenderness and soreness to other parts of the body, decontamination was achieved by substituting cloth towels for washings. LA pee AREow. Se poe TE A, “r~ fe eeeTeeege hee te anon: Figure 4.1 Decontamination area, Naval Air Sfation,” Kwajalein. Lut 2 Sane rt Skea BLD ae 4.3 DECONTAMINATION OF CLOTHING AND OTHER PERSONAL POSSESSIONS OF THE MARSHALLESE i The Marshallese had received a change of clothing whichwas voluntarily contributed by the personnel at NAS, Kwajalein. Many individuals had, however, retained articles of their own clothing. When surveyed on 11 March, the contamination of the clothing and possessions, in use, was found to be spotty. The highest concentration of activity was found in the children’s clothing, in trouser cuffs, seats of trousers (and areas of clothing which had obviously been in contact with the ground), shoes (inside and out), belts, and combs. The clothing of the Marshallese (not in use) was monitored 10—12 March and sepa- rated into three categories. Clothing which read less than 1.0 mr/hr was returned for use. Clothing which read 1.0 to 5.0 mr/hr was laundered several times and returned to the natives on 17 April, when it read less than 1.0 mr/hr. The clothing which read more than 5.0 mr/hr 11 March was kept until 3 May, at which timeit read less than 1.0 mr/hr. Prayer books and shoes werethe last possessions returned for use. The clothing of the 16 Marshallese who were evacuated by plane had not been laundered andstill read approximately 100 mr/hr on 18 March. Repeated washings by the Kwajalein laundry failed to lower the counts appreciably. to laundry water facilitated decontamination. Cc o> “\ aoe cy 20 The addition of citric acid