tn 1968, President Johnson autrorized the raturna of 3ikini Atoll <o its orizinal inhabitants, nost 2f whom were living on Kili Island about 500 niles to the south of Bikini Atoll. A similar authorization was ziven for the Ea- ewetak people who had been aoved to Ujelang prior to th atoil. -:esting at their home Because of the residual radioactivity at Bixini and Enewetak, en- viroamental monitoring programs were established to assure the people that the low-level radiation exposures (which residents would receive from living ina these places) remain within acceptable limits. The dose-equivalent limits are those recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (IC22) for people not occupationally exposed to radiation. The U.S. Department of Energy had assumed the old Atomic Energy Con- mis-ion's commitment to provide continuing followup for the medical and en- vironmental problems caused by the Pacific testing programs. 3eginning ia March 1954 to the present, the Brookhaven medical team has provided medical care and radiation protection guidance to the exposed population. They studied internal radioactivity levels through radiochemical analysis of urine and blood and through whole-body counting. Since the logistical support for Brocxhaven medical team visits to Rongelap and Utirik had been established, it seemed reasonable to have the environmental and radiological safety assess~ ments done by the Safety and Environmental Protection Division of Brookhaven National Laboratory as well. The Safety and Environmental Protection Division undertook environ- mental measurements for radioactivity as early as 1974. In 1973, whole-body counting and radiochemical analysis of biological samples were transferred from the Medical Department to this division. At present, the program