The Federal Radiation Council's radiation protection guide for the whole body exposure of individuals amounts to: Individuals in a Population 1 5 30 70 year years years years =~ ~ - 0.5 rad 2.5 rads 15 rads 35 rads The general philosophy, based on both experience and research, is that 0.5 rad per year provides an acceptable level of whale body exposure for individuals. This value may be used where sufficient monitoring is performed so that radiation exposures are Known. WHAT ABOUT THE RATE OF ACCUMULATION OF RADIATION EXPOSURE? ‘ The rate for external radiation will be higher in the first few years but will decline steadily with time. Reduction to the U. S. average will occur in about 30 to 50 years. This reduction will continue after that time to levels lower than the U. S. average due to the lower natural background level in the Atoll environment. When the Bikini people first return, the doses to whole body from external and from internal radioactivity will be about equal. When more of the locally produced foods such as) pandanus begin to become available, the contribution from internal radioactivity may increase. The recommendations of the committee of experts are intended to insure that such exposures in the future remain within an acceptable range.