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NO radiological monitoring or medical examinations were conducted on any
Bikinians ‘untilthe early 1970’s, after a small group returned to Bikini
Island. Xhe group, at first consisting of workers, then expanded to
family groups, periodically was radiologicallymonitored. In April
1978, some 99 of the 145 residents on Bikini island had whole body count
examinations as well as medical examinations. These 145 residents were
evacuated from Bikini Island in late August 1978. Some of this group
have been given follow-up monitoring examinations since the August 1978
_ removal.

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“-Today there are wer 900 Bikinians. Some 500 or so reside on Kili
.. Island, another 140 live on Ejit Island near Majuro, some 100 or so live
,. in Majuro, and another 100 or so live on Ebeye. Small numbers are
scattered in other parts of the Marshalls.
In 1969, after certain parts of Bikini Atoll were considered safe for
resettlement, small numbers of Bininians began to return to Bikini
Islsnd. The first returnees, as noted above, were workers in the cleanup
and rehabilitation program started in 1970. Gradually, family members
joined the workers and by the mid-1970’s some 60 or so Bikinians were in
residence on Bikini Island. By 1978, the group had grown to 145 individuals.
It was this group that was evacuated from Bikini Island in late August
1978 when the Interior Department concluded that “body burden levels”
exceeded acceptable standards. Cesium 137 ingestion from locally grown
foods primarily appeared to be the cause for the rising body burden
levels. As a result, it now has been determined that Bikini Island must
be off limits for another”60 years.
Additionally, some 50-60 Marshallese of non-Bikinian descent lived and
worked on Bikini Island for varying periods between 1970-76. These
individuals also require special screening.
There has also been close association, including inter-marriage,between ,/ ‘
+-hepeople of Rongelap and people of Bikini. At least one exposed
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Rongelapese and his family were resident on Bikini Island in 1978 when
the last evacuation occuxred.
The latest resettlement proposal of the people of Bikini involves living
on the island of Eneu in the Bikini Atoll, probably on a rotation basis~
and the maintenance of a community on tili Island. Should this pro~=l
be feasible, health care must be planned for (1) the Kili Island cOmmunitY,
(2) a posstile conmunity on Eneu island, Bikini Atoll, (3) a small
Bikini community in Majuro, and (4) several hundred other Bikinians
residing at Ebeye and other parts of the Msxshalls.
ic) Enewetak

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In 1947, ti~ 142 residents of Enewetak Atoll also were evacuated from
their home atoll. They were settled on Ujelang Atoll, which lies 124
miles southeast of Enewetak, in the Northern kiarshalls.
From 1948 to
1958, there were 43 test detonations performed at Bnewetak Atoll,

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