SOF
XII. Four Atoll Proposal - Issues and Alternatives
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A.
Introduction
Both the Department of Energy historically, and the Bur on Bill more
recently, have identified the people of Bikini, Enewetok, Rondelap and
Utirik as having the most direct radiation effects.
Those individuals ac-
tually included were decided by various factors, primarily thdir location
during the nuclear testing activities.
Not surprisingly therd
are many
anecdotal challenaes to the established list of affected indiWiduals which
will probably continue to be claimed throughout this and perhdps even succeeding generations.
It is increasingly evident that the actual health impac}
on even the most directly affected is minimal.
of radiation
This not only|further com-
plicates any attempt to distinguish these individuals from ot§ers, but also
raises the question of the need for maintaining this distinctjon.
In many
' respects, the categorical separation of the affected and non-affected groups
appears to primarily be a political issue.
The language of Public Law 96-205 reflects the difficulfy in establishing this distinction and also what responsibility the U. B. Government
should assume for both the health and political/sociological
their nuclear testing program.
Jmpact of
In the narrowest sense it calfs forthe pro-
vision of primary, secondary and tertiary care for the "peoplps of" the
four most directly affected atolls.
Certainly any plan propobed should
include this comprehensive care for this particular identifieH
group, but
limitation of improved health care to only these people raiseB
serious
political, ethical, and cost-effective issues.
It is important to detail
these more specifically.
HO