APPENDIX "BE"
DRAPT PRESS RELEASE
1.
Inhahitants of the island of Ronselap, who were
evacuated following radioactive fallout resulting from a
thermonuclear detonation at the Atomic Imergy Commission's
mTniwetok Froving Ground on March 1,
1954, will be returned to
their home island the Department of the Interior announced today.
2. Reconstruction of homes and other facilities on the
island, which have deteriorated during the period of unoccupancy,
will begin in the near future.
It is expected that the in-
habitants can be returned by early summer.
3. The decision to return the Rongelap inhabitants was
made after the Atomic Enersy Commission had advised that it
would be safe for them to live on the atoll.
Periodic radio-
logical surveys of the atcll have been made under the sponsorship
of the Commission since March 1,
1954.
According to the Com-
mission, residual radioactivity on the island has decreased to
non-hazardous levels.
4. The Rongelap inhabitants have been advised not to eat
land crabs, which have the highest present concentrations of
Strontium-90, pending the results of future radiological surveys.
Land crabs are not a significant part of their normal diet.
5. Zighty-two residents of Rongelap were exposed to the
fallout on March 1, 1954.
shortly thereafter.
They were moved to Kwajalein Atoll
On June 9, 1954, they were moved to the
Island of "jit on Majuro Atoll and have been living there under
the care of the U.S.
Government.
One death -- from heart
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ent of Energy
venaiaes Office Appendix "5"
~ ERCHIVES
Cae