DRAFT
13
of the Marshallese, the "CMM consider restoration to preevacuation standards is
inescapable moral responsibility [of] both AEC and DOD.. .” (Possibly "CMM" refers
to the commander.) Clarkson believes that CINCPACFLT should be assigned
responsibility with AEC assistance for continued medical observation of the islanders
and accompanying radiological studies.”
27 Apr 54
ADMINISTRATION
RELOCATION
Persons not affected or slightly affected by Castle have been moved to
a tent camp on Ebeye Island, Kwajalein Atoll, and the high commissioner of the T.T.
expects the DOD and the AECto restore clothing andlivestock and assure continued
medical checks as needed to the Marshallese evacuees.”
May 54
RADIATION
RELOCATION
The Utirik residents are allowed to return to their island, which Brookhaven
National Laboratory (BNL) physicians find "only slightly contaminated and considered
safe for habitation.”*
2 May 54
RADIATION
RELOCATION
Bugher, the AEC/DBM director, reports that "it appears to be undesirable" for
Rongelap residents to return to their home for a year but that the health of the
islanders seems to be satisfactory.
21 May 54
CONTRACTOR
MEDICAL
PLUTONIUAL. ...,.
RADIATION .
_ Commenting onthe LASL analysis’ éf ‘data. on plutonium excretion from
urinalysis of the Rongelapese, Gardori Dunning, AEC/DBM health physicist, questions
the reliability of the LASL data. According to the LASL data, three ofthe readings
reported are above the maximum permissible body burden.”
24 May 54
RADIATION
RELOCATION
Gordon Dunning of AEC reports that the highest strontium” value on Naen
Island is 0.5 microcuries per square foot and on Rongelap 1.6 x 107 microcuries per
square foot.
He adds that “only a small fraction” a the Rongelapese food supply
comes from island plants; that the calcium contentis significantly greater than 1,000
poundsper acre and thuswill correspondingly reduce the strontium uptake; and that
weathering may eliminate a small amount of the strontium activity. Therefore,
Dunning thinks that the amount of strontium” in the soils should not prevent a
return of the Rongelapese to their islands.”