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GK-91-91-09-4
Marshall Islands Radiolog-cal Safety {9
:
(600003)
22¢gtan
RET.0 NG.
NOD
, Sly NUMBER || TASK
cOsE
NAME
TOR
~~ NTRAC
;
BNL
|
Ine
as.
rsiti
Unive
iated
Assoc
a3c.
~
Purpose.
This program is cperated 22 zrovide continuously updated data on ionizing
radiation doses and dose eccmmiznents recaived sy che residences of islands ia
the Northern Marshalls which have te
eontaisinated by U.S. armospheric
nuclear tests.
These data will se used «9 develop predictive dose modelling,
and to provide a basis for treredial acticns when necessary.
3d.
Bacxzround.
This work was begun in 1374 23 provide radiacion safety related iaferna-~
tion co the A.=.C. concerning tne residents of 3ixini, Rongelao, and Utirik
Atolls, and the impending
retum 35 the Inewertax seople.
“de.
ADDdrodacnh.
Feld trios co the Marshall islands will te conducted cwo to three tines
rer vear 29 do in vivo iSunting anc urine collectiicns ist radioassay and for
zavironmencal sampling.
‘Samples and in vivo sounting <ata wate Se analyzed
otimarily ac BNL.
Results will te ineccrtorated ints
a comsucerized data base
Zor tanipulacion, nmedellinz scucias, and incorteration into ramores for
publication.
19f.
-
=a
™,
Teennical Orceress.
—_
*
2
Three field trips were conducted during
and personnel monitoring.
FY1973 for environmental sampling
Tae Spring 1977 whole 29dY Counting trip to 3ixini demonstrated cramacic
and umexvected increases in -~‘Cs dedy burdens among the residencs.
These
findings led to a Department of che Unterior decision to move the 3ikini people
off theiz home atoll.
The decline in +4°Cs and
Sr body Surdens among the
3ixinians will be monitored suring Fvi979. A derailed diet and Living pattem
study of residents of the Norshern Marshalls is axpected to improve understandtag of internal and external radiation exposure sathways.
This study and
estimates of radionuclide excretion rates derived from follow-up personnel
monitoring on che Bikinians are expectad to improve predictive modelling and
reduce the probability of unexpected occurrences such as thac at 3ikini last
vear.
Emphasis on personnel sonitoring
4s expected to continue through rvi980
and TFY198l.
Development at ultra-low level analytical capabilities for transuranic radionuclides and the establishmenc of corroboracive Sioassay prograns
22 cooperation with ocher laboracories are axtected to clarify and quantitate
Low Level plutonium and americtium body burdens among the 31kinians and Ronge~
tapese.
Similar decerminations among a “Marshaliese control population are
expecced to demonstrate differances, if any, setween the residents of coucaminated atolls and regional background.
OR-39