"11.149 Valuable information concerning the development and healing of beta burns has been obtained from observations of the Marshall Islanders Although the fallout who were exposed to fallout in March 1954 . .. . was observed as a white powder, consisting largely of particles of lime (calcium oxide) resulting from the decomposition of coral (calcium carbonate) by heat, the island inhabitants did not realize its significance, (94, p, 602) (emphasis added) Evacuation Times A further interesting factor is that despite the fact that according to reports the extent and direction of the fallout soon became known, only the 28 Americans on Rongerik were picked up one day after the fallout. the explosion, the Rongelapese were evacuated. the people of Utirik were aboard ship. Two days after Three days after the detonation, While it may be argued that attempting tc pick up people from all three islands at once immediately after the detonation might have exposed crew members of the ships to dangerous radioactivity, it can also be argued that the areas of heavy fallout were known and could have beer. avoided. Decontamination aboard ship could have prevented serious exposure. Levels of Awareness, Degrees of Injury Notwithstanding this, it is difficult to this day to understand why it was that the people of Rongelap and the Americans were not evacuated at the same time, one day after, when the fallout had ceased. This is an especially valid question since the Americans would fare better than the Marshallese because of certain factors. In the 1956 AEC report it was noted that: "Most of the Americans who were more aware of the danger of the fallout, took shelter in aluminum buildings, bathed and changed clothes and consequently developed very mild beta lesions." (p. 35) Dr. Dunning, before the U.S, Congressional subcommittee, described the situation for the Rongelapese and Utirikese: "The Marshallese were semiclothed, had moist skin, and most of them were out-of-doors during the time of fallout. 1O14 748 “ts Some bathed during the two-day