again used by many observers. (For the remainder of this report, the group assembledin April 1978,
will be called the Advisory Group to be consistent with what the group called itself.) The Charter
for the Advisory Group listed these review topics:
1.
Cleanup criteria and recommendations,
2.
Field operations:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g-
3.
Monitoring and sampling
Sample analysis
Data handling and analysis including statistics
Advisory activities in support of cleanup commander
Application of cleanup criteria and recommendations
Certification
Post cleanup conditions including disposal of contaminated debris and soil
Dose estimates and applicable standards.
For clarity, it should be emphasized that the Advisory Group was advisory only to DOE/HQ,
Conclusions and recommendations of the group would be considered by DOE in formulating policy
regarding cleanup; they were not automatically binding on DNA.
The first meeting of the Advisory Group was held 26-27 April 1978, timed to precede an issue
resolution conference scheduled by DNA for 3-4 May. Four questions were submitted to the
Advisory Group prior to their meeting; all four are presented in the quotation below but responses to
only the first two are reproduced here. The third question, while bearing on significant topics, was
not the center of a controversial issue in need of immediate resolution; however, the dose estimate
question later became critical as discussed in Section 2.2.7. Question 4, and the Advisory Group
response, is presented in Chapter 6, Section 6.7. The questions and responses, with the revised
wording to response number2 as distributed on May 3, were:
"l.
Is it possible to develop dose-related cleanup guidance that would assure that
doses to future residents of Enewetak Atoll would not significantly exceed
proposed EPA guidelines for transuranics?
"2.
What advice can be given to the Defense Nuclear Agency on May 3, 1978, to
facilitate planning for cleanup of transuranics on Enewetak?
"3.
What additional information can be obtained that could improve the confidence
of the dose estimates and cleanup criteria for transuranics?
"4.
Can plowing be used as an effective cleanup measure for transuranics in soils?
"The Advisory Group reviewed information and data provided by DOE-Division of
Occupational and Environmental Safety, Lawrence Livermore Laboratory,
DOE-Nevada Operations Office and Defense Nuclear Agency and offers the
following response to the above questions. (This pertains only to transuranic
elements and does not consider radiation doses from other radionuclides which, the
Advisory Group understands, will delay the resettlement of some of the islands for
many years.)
"l.
The Enewetak Advisory Group does not find it possible to develop reasonable
cleanup guidance that would assure that radiation doses from transuranics to
future residents would not significantly exceed proposed EPA guidelines.
Obviously, the more stringent the cleanup criteria, the greater the degree of
assurance; but uncertainties inherent in our present understanding of the
problem preclude absolute assurance. One cannot predict with certainty the
contamination levels that will exist in the islands after cleanup—this must be
determined at a future time. One cannot predict the lifestyle and dietary
habits of every individual who returns to the islands. Perhaps most important,
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