A RADIOLOGICAL STUDY OF RONGELAP ATOLL, MARSHALL
ISLANDS DURING 1954-1955
Tntroduction
The program of study of the Applied FisheriesLaboratory,
University of Washington, (Program 19.1 of Operation Castle) was
B® outlined in the Laboratory's report UWFL-36.
This program involved
B detailed studies of radiological contamination of the fauna and
Briora of Eniwetok Atoll, with exploratory trips to Bikini Atoll on
fe quarterly basis to ascertain the levels of radiation remaining
| during the year following the test program.
The unexpected pattern and magnitude of the fallout of
Bradioactive materials from the March 1,
1954 experiment introduced
gthe need for new areas of study over and above the planned program.
One such area was Rongelap Atoll where the fallout resulted
in the evacuation of the native people.
On March 21, 1954, the Laboratory recieved a request from
: Dr. Paul B. Pearson, AEC Division of Biology and Medicine, to
Emake a survey of the islands at Rongelap Atoll to determine the
extent of radiological contamination of the native foods.
The expedition to Rongelap, in response to this request,
mwas organized by Task Group 7.1, with transportation and support
)Provided by the USS Nicholas (D DB 449).
Members of Program
}19.1 were Lauren R. Donaldson, Charles M. Barnes, Edward E. Held,
}Ralph F. Palumbo and Paul R. Olson.
Thomas Shipman, Thomas N.
White, P. R. Schivone and W. W. Robbins accompanied the expedi-~
| tion to aid the natives in capturing some of their
animals on
| Rongelap Island and to make radiation readings on some of the
fo