INTRODUCTION
Body burden measurements performed on the Bikini Island population in 1978
(Mi79) and external exposure surveys conducted in 1975 (Gu76, Gr79a) of Bikini
Atoll provided data which indicated that many of the individuals living on
Bikini Atoll would receive an annual dose equivalent in excess of 5 mSv (.5 rem)
(Gr79b).
This information was reported to the United States Departments of Energy
and Interior.
The decision was made by the latter agency to relocate the 3ikini
Atoll population.
This action was accomplished between August 28-31, 1978.
The
Sormer Bikini Atoll residents were moved to Kili Island in the southern Marshall
Islands, and to Majuro or Ejit Islands in Majuro Atoll.
The Department of
Energy, responsible for the radiologic follow up of this population, requested
that whole body counting and urine bioassay measurements be made on this
population at approximately six month intervals for the first vear to confirma
the elimination rates of radioactive materials in order to accurately assess internal doses and dose commitments for individual Bikinians.
Whole body counting and urine bioassay services were provided to this
Marshallese population in January and May, 1979.
From these data, long term bio-
logical removal rate constants have been measured for 1376, and 6004. 90...
has been measured in both urine sample series; however, additional sampling
points in time will be required in order to estimate the intermediate and
long term biological removal rate constants for this radionuclide.
EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN
13704 and 6005 body burdens were measured using a shadow shield whole body
counter.
The system design, analysis techniques and aspects of the quality con-
trol program are deseribed in a previous report (Mi79).
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Urine bioassay samples