Office of Public Affairs Washington, D.C. 20461 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE AUGUST 1, 1978 AERIAL RADIATION SURVEY OF MARSHALL ISLANDS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN THIS FALL An aerial radiation survey of 11 atolls and two islands in the northern Marshall Islands will be con- ducted between mid-September and mid-December by the Department of Energy (DOE). The Department of the Interior is funding the survey, and the Department of Defense is providing air and sea support. Atolls to be surveyed are Ailinginae, Ailuk, Bikar, Bikini, Likiep, Rongelap, Rongerik, Taka, Ujelang, Utirik, and Wotho. The separate islands (not part of an atoll are Jemo and Mejit. The survey project will help determine what hazards may remain from nuclear testing performed in the Marshalls during the 1940s and 1950s. Also, it will help identify islands where some radiological problems may still exist. As the first phase of the survey, a preliminary aerial photography mission got underway last week. The photographs, taken from a specially-equipped Navy aircraft, will provide accurate maps of the Marshalls for project scientists. The Marshalls: are part of the United States Trust Territories of the Pacific Islands under a United Nations Trusteeship agreement. The Department of the Interior administers the trusteeship agreement. DOE is providing the technical staff and equipment to conduct the radiation. survey. | The most advanced systems for detecting radioactivity will be used for the survey. The equipment and techniques, including helicopter-mounted radiation measuring R 56 02 78- 295 1 (MORE) VI-4