DOSE ASSESSMENT AT BIKINI ATOLL
Abstract
Bikini Atoll is one of two sites in
Six living patterns were evaluated.
the northern Marshall Islands that was
One was based on living and obtaining
used by the United States as testing
all subsistence crops from Bikini
grounds for the nuclear weapons pro-
Island, another on living on and
‘gram from 1946 to 1958.
In 1969 a
obtaining all subsistence crops from
general cleanup began at Bikini Atoll.
Eneu Island, Other patterns consisted
Subsistence crops, coconut and Pandanus
of various combinations of housing and
fruit, were planted on Bikini and Eneu
subsistence crops from’the two islands.
Islands, and housing was constructed
The terrestrial pathway contri-
on Bikini Island.
butes the greater percentage, ex-
A second phase of housing was
ternal gamma exposure contributes
the next highest, and inhalation
planned for the interior of Bikini
‘Island.
and marine pathways contri-
Preliminary data indicated
that external gamma doses in the
bute minor fractions of the
interior of the island might be higher
total whole body and bone marrow
than in other parts of the island.
doses.
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The radionuclides contri-
Therefore, to select a second site for
buting the major fraction of
housing on the island with minimimum
the dose are "sr and +3’cs,
external exposure,
All living patterns involving
a survey of Bikini
Atoll was conducted in June 1975.
Bikini Island exceed federal
External gamma measurements were made
guidelines for 30-yr population
on Bikini and Eneu Islands, and soil
doses.
and vegetations samples collected to
pattern leads to doses that are
evaluate the potential doses via ter-
slightly less than federal guide-
restrial food chains and inhalation.
lines.
Estimates of potential dose via the
for Bikini Atoll lead to higher
marine food chain were based upon data
doses than those on the southern
The Eneu Island living
All patterns evaluated
collected on previous trips to the atoll. islands at Enewetak Atoll.
Purpose of the 1975 Bikini Survey
Bikini Atoll is one of two sites in
the northern Marshall Islands that
PF 50505
were used by the United States as testing
grounds for the nuclear weapons
-l]-