~4ll. Q. A. WHERE DOES THE RADIATION ON THE ATOLL COME FROM? From radionuclides in soil and vegetation and, on some of the islands, from large amounts of radioactive scrap metal. levels vary considerably from one island to another, The It is for that reason that Eneu and Bikini were suggested as village sites since these two islands have lower levels, 12. Q WHY ARE THE ISLANDS SAFE NOW WHEN THEY WEREN'T A FEW YEARS AGO? A. _ Radioactivity decreases with the passage of time. nuclides disappear faster than others, Some radio- Altogether it is a combination of the passage of time and the work of nature in diffusing and dispersing the radionuclides, Readings taken in 1964, for instance, were several times higher than those of 1967, 13. Q HAS THE RADIATION ON BIKINI CAUSED FREAKS AND MUTATIONS IN PLANTS AND ANIMALS THERE? In 22 years of visiting the atoll, scientific survey teams have never found any evidence of a radiation induced mutation or freak, 14, Q. HOW DO RADIATION LEVELS ON BIKINI COMPARE WITH THOSE IN THE UNITED STATES? On Bikini Island itself, radiation levels are somewhat higher than in most parts of the U. S, On certain portions of the atoll there are levels below those found in most parts of the U. S. (more)