BACKGROUND
In August 1978 the residents of Bikini Island left their Atoll
because measurements of radiocesium made in April 1978 showed
accumulations in the bodies of 13 out of 101 people; if this level
were maintained for one year,
it would result in an annual radiation
dose equal to or greater than the 500 mrem/yr federal radiation protection
criteria for exposure of individuals.
The dose rate might have
increased further had those people continued to live on Bikini Island.
At that time the question was raised about whether or not the Bikini
people could relocate on Eneu Island.
Information then available on the
radionuclide content of test plantings of food crops on Eneu was
inadequate, and there were insufficient samples of coconuts grown on
Eneu Island to answer the question.
In the Congressional Committee
hearings’ held on July 25, 1978, it was agreed that priority would be
given to collecting and analyzing available data to update radiation
expoSure estimates for use by those who are considering whether
Bikini people should return to live on Eneu Island.
the
In early 1979, new
information was obtained so that dose predictions for residence on
Eneu Island could,
for the first
time,
be based upon data from analysis
of actual food items of the diet grown én the island rather than on
theoretical predictions derived from soil concentrations.
RADIATION SOURCES
People living on FEneu Island receive radiation exposure from two
sources:
1)
external irradiation from natural background radiation
3Interior and Related Agencies Subcommittee, Committee on Appropriations
House of Representatives.
9009271