Nineteen coconut samples were collected from thirteen different locations
on the island.
Green coconuts were used for almost all samples and the
meat and milk were analyzed separately.
detectable in any of the samples,
Only !3’Cs and 9°Sr were
Tritium analyses were performed on
the milk from selected coconuts but all results were below the lower
limit of detection (0.4 pCi/ml).
Table 1.
Mean 137Cs and 29Sr Concentration in Food From Bikini Island
(pCi/g wet weight)
1969
1967*
1969
Sample
137¢s
Range
137Cs
30 Sr
Coconut meat
120
4 - 480
200 + 2.6
0.31
Coconut milk
130
48 - 270
Pandanus
130
26 - 400
Arrowroot'
0.6
28
0.4 - 1.1
2.4
*Data from reference number 2.
tPrepared by grinding, rinsing three times with salt water and once with
fresh water.
(Marshallese method of preparation)
ENEU ISLAND
The second largest island in the atoll, and the site of the base camp for
the cleanup operation, Eneu, was found to be considerably lower than
Bikini in external background (Figure 3).
Although an exposure rate
of 50 uR/hr was obtained at one depressed location during the early
stages, filling of this "borrow pit" area reduced the level to
approximately 10 pR/hr.
than 10 to 20 uR/hr.
The exposure rate generally ranged from less
Of particular interest was an aircraft decontamination
pad adjacent to the parking apron of the airstrip which bisects the island.
Surveys of this area showed background levels to be less than 20 wR/hr for
all exterior surfaces.
The interior of the drain measured approximately
50 wR/hr.
Thirteen cable spools, giving a combined contact reading of 200 yR/hr,
represented the only radioactive scrap located on the island.
were removed and disposed of at sea.
[o139498
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