B.
Issues
1.
It is medically impossible to distinguish in any par ticular individual whether a disease complex or symptom is radia tion related
or not.
Epidemiological studies over time on groups of people
can establish increased incidences of particular pro lems, but
this evidence is not particularly helpful in decidin
specific
causation in any individual.
The peoples of Bikini, Enewetok, Rongelap and Utiri
are now liv-
ing on approximately one half of the 26 atolls/islan s in the
Marshalls.
This migration and resulting intermarryi g is rapidly
spreading those individuals with "direct" radiation
ffects through-
out the Marshalls.
e large pop-
With the groups resident among
ulations on Majuro and Ebeye, well over 75% of the
tal Marshail-
ese population has people from the four affected at
Ts living
among them.
pretation
This means that even the narrowest int
of P. L. 96-205 will require health care to be provi ed far beyond the four atolls themselves.
Preferential treatment for those individuals with " irect" effects
will tend to continue the arguments of those not in
uded that
they were also affected.
ople on ships
The anecdotal stories of
in the fallout area who should be included, as well
s other groups,
already abound.
ese numer-
It appears that the refutation of
ous claims may require considerable energy and cost in the future,
if the advantage of inclusion is significant.
The indirect effects are also a matter of considerab te discussion.
Foodstuffs from affected atolls are shipped elsewhe
» fish and
other sealife may carry radiation from one area to
other, sec-
ond and third generation offspring of affected peop
may have