EVALUATION OF THE RADIOLOGICAL QUALITY OF THE WATER ON BIKINI AND ENEU ISLANDS IN 1975: DOSE ASSESSMENT BASED ON INITIAL SAMPLING Abstract In June of 1975 we conducted a survey to determine the residual radio- acceptable as drinking water in accordance with standard limits ‘activity in the terrestrial environ- established by the U.S. ment on the two main islands Service. Bikini) of Bikini Atoll. tive was (Eneu and Our objec- to evaluate the potential However, Public Health on both islands the quality of the groundwater varies from one site to another. radiation doses that could be received At some wells both chemical and by the Bikinians scheduled to return radiological quality are acceptable; ta at others one or both are unacceptable their atoll. This report describes the radiological quality of the ground- according to U.S. water during June 1975 (from data Standards. obtained from water samples collected from consumption of both cistern at oid and new well sites on both and groundwater are acceptable under islands) federal guidelines. and the cistern water on Bikini Island. these samples, cistern water Based on analyses of we found that the Public Heaith The doses we predict However, doses predicted from consumption of groundwater are high enough to warrant from Bikini Island is both chemically and radiologically careful evaluation of other potential exposure pathways. Introduction To evaluate the potential radiation doses that could be received by- Bikinians returning to their atoll, exposure rates and collecting samples of soil, groundwater, we conducted a survey during June and vegetation 1975 the internal doses . L-4 food chains. to determine the residual radio- activity in the terrestrial environment on Bikini and Eneu Islands of Bikini Atoll. The survey included ummm ; G | ee measuring environmental gamma-ray cistern water, to use in assessing from pertinent This report describes logical quality of the radio- the groundwater