fish are also comparable to those concentrations

in similar types of species

consumed in the United States.

The Pu concentrations

surgeonfish

lower

from

Rongelap

are

consumed in the United Kingdom.

than

average

in mullet and convict

levels

in

pelagic

fish

The Pu, however, presently contributes only a

small fraction of the dose from ingestion of marine food products.
DOSE COMPARISONS

The

estimated,

maximum

annual

radionuclide

dose

rates

consumption of fish are about 0.01% of the 500 mrem/y Federal
most atolls and islands and about 0.02% for Rongelap.

from

the

guideline

for

The 30-y integral doses

range from about 0.01 to 0.06% of the Federal 30-y guideline of 5 rem.

The

estimated doses from the consumption of clams is only a very small fraction of
that

from the intake of fish (on the average,

body and less than 10% for bone marrow).

less

than 0.54

for

the whole

The clams contribute this very small

fraction of the dose in the marine pathway even though detection limit values
were

used

as

the

actual

concentration.

will be less than these values.

In

fact,

the

concentration

in

clams

Therefore, the actual doses from ingestion of

clams will be less than those shown in Table 6 and would actually contribute
an even smaller fraction of the dose relative to fish.
The doses estimated for the various radionuclides for the marine pathway
must be viewed with the likely source of each radionuclide in mind.

The doses

listed here are based on the currently observed radionuclide concentrations at
the atolls and islands.

The Cs and Sr concentrations in fish from the atolls

and islands are similar to those observed in fish from other locations around
the

world

Therefore,

in

which

doses

the

concentrations

calculated

for

nuclides in the water column.

Cs

and

are
Sr

derived
reflect

from

global

concentrations

These concentrations can increase

fallout.
of

these

if any type

of global atmospheric testing occurs because the primary source of these two
radionuclides
tests

is

contributes

from

global

only

a

fallout;

small

any

fraction of

residual
the

activity

activity

from

that

is

the

1950

presently

associated with the muscle tissue of fish.
The

radionuclide

concentrations

and

radiological) decay.

doses

assuming

are
that

However,

calculated
they

are

using

the

removed

by

current
only

physical

the residence time of Cs and Sr

oceanic water columns is less than their 30-y half-life.

(i.e.,

in the upper

Therefore the doses,

in absence of any further testing, are probably overestimated.
13

radionuclide

Select target paragraph3