ICRP #9 suggests that in 20 years, the general public should receive a dose
of less than 5.0 rem from tocal body sources other than medical or natural bacxground
(8).
In all cases examined here,
this requiremence is met.
The sroblem
arises that the external gamma radiacion is only one source of exposure to the
Marshallese.
The dietary pathway could contribute a substantial increment as an
incernal dose commitmentc.
Reviewing all atoll dose commitments in this light, we feel that inhabitants
of Rongelap Atoll may have difficulty meeting the ICRP #9 criterion of 5 rem in
30 years, but should be within the 0.5 rem/year standard for individuals.
The
inceral dose assessment for the people of Rongelap will be the sudject of a sepaTate report,
At this time, we do not recommend any remedial action until a complete
dose commitment can be determined by means of examining the external, dietary and
whole body counting data available to date.
The other islands and atolls surveyed are well within che ICRP recommended
levels.
As such, little more than minimal followup should be done on these atolls.
The main task of the environmental programs should be one of detecting significant
changes in the environment or lifestyle which might warrant a reassessment of these
dose predictions.