410336 BROOKHAVEN NATIONAL LABORATORY ASSOCIATED UNIVERSITIES, INC. 1p j) ] Tuy j Upton, New York 11973 Safety & Environmental Protection Division (516) 345-4210 August 3, 1978 Dr. Charles A. Sondhaus Professor of Radiological Sciences University of California Collese of Medicine Irvine, California 926564 Dear Chuck: As indicated in our telephone conversation, I am presenting herewith an update of what has been done so far. The funding for this project came through during late February, which has put certain constraints on getting the necessary work assigned to outside Laboratories in order to be completed by September 1978. However, we hope that preliminary discussions can be launched with the information we already have and with interim results from laboratories. 129 . . . . : . The I determination in soil samples is being done by Dr. Fred Brauer (Battelle Labs-Dr. Ballou is the group leader). Dr. Seymour, Director, Laboratory of Radiation Ecology, University of Washington has kindly provided us with soil samples from Rongelap and Utirik collected in March 1954 and from subsequent years. These samples should provide us with information on 129r. Enclosed is a paper outlining the procedure. Discussions with Drs. Ballou and Brauer indicated that they would check for loss of iodine during storage of samples using their own historic samples; and also look for 99 Tc, if feasible. Dr. Soldat indicated that 297c047 ion dose could be similar to 129r ana possibly could contribute to the dose delivered to the thyroid gland at time of fallout. He also suggested that the data on ingestion of dirt by children as documented by Dr. Healy (UC-41, LASL~LA-6337 PR) should prove valuable in assessing pathways. Dr. Ballou will have a first look at the 129: data as it comes out. ‘ : We are at present looking through all the reports in our possession and pulling out every bit of information concerning the March 1, 1954 fallout on Ailinginae, Rongelap, Rongerik and Utirik. In this way, we hope to have access to data that would be required to estimate internal and external dose. Also, such collating will help evaluate the validity of observations. I am sending by separate mail all your reports. We appreciate the opportunity to have had access to these valuable references.