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REDORT OF THE AD HOC COMMITTEE TO EVALUATE THE RADIOLOGICAL HAZMWRZSETTLEMENTOF THE BIKINI ATOLL b The Committee was convened to consider the question of whether the Bikini Atoll is3 safe for human habitation with respect to the radiological hazard. the various relocation s of the Bikini natives is described i n the appended material provided by Mr. Tobin (Appendix I)*. The detailed history of W e have examined the documents listed in Appendix 11. In addition,we spent one and one-half days in detailed discus - s ions with members of the 1967 Bikini Survey Team and other . experts as shown i n Appandix XLI. On the basis of the infor - mation provided, w e have reached the following conclusions 1. The exposures to radiation that would result from the repatriation of the Bikini people do not offer a significant threat to their health and Such exposure may and ghould be further reduced by t h e following simpJe measures: a. Restrict rehabilitation for the present to the islands of the Bikini-Eneu complex. b. Establish the first village and immediate food crops on Eneu. t i o n s will be needed on Eneu because of its c. Any village construction on Bikini Island should involve the covering of the site with coral rock ~ t si s the local custom.. d. Radioactive scrap metal should b e removed from the islands adjacent t o former shot sites, e. The population of PnnU crabs should be sharply reduced because of their high content of f. I f pandanus tree8 which produce edible fruit are planted on Bikini Island, two inches of topsoil should be rm ved from the planting sites. The area of removal from each site should be e q u a l to the area covered by the crown of mature txeea.
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Determinations should be made of body burdens of cesium 137 and strontium90atthe end ofthe first year of residence on the Atoll and as appropri ate thereafter.Baseline surveys prior to relocation would be desirable. Resurveys of env iron mental radiation levels on the Bikini Atoll and estimates of radio nuclides in food should be made periodically. These surveys will provide a continual check of the radiation status ofthe people and environment and will help form a basis for decision as to the time of re habitation ' o f Special efforts should be made to ensure a balanced and adequately nutritious diet. For example, a dietary supplement of powdered milk would mate - ri ally reduce strontium90 uptake by relieving the calcium deficiency usually associated with their ' AEC ' s Division of Biology and Medicine, now retired. Robert A. Conard, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, Charles L. Dunham, Chairman, Division of Medical Sciences of the National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences, Energy Commission, New York City. S.Allan Lough, Assistant Director for Radiological Physics of AEC ' s ' Division of Biology and Medicine. John B.Storer, Deputy Director of BEC ' s Division of Bio l Q By Paul Tompkins; Executive Director, ' Federal Radiation Council, Shields Warr'en, Scientific Director, Cancer Research In st it x te,New England Deaconess Hospital, Boston, Mass.
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*A limited number of copies of the appendices to t h er Committee report are available on request. They are: Bikini Atoll Survey 1967, " by Jack A. Tobin - List of Members and Associates of the - Map of Bikini Atoll "Brief Summary of the Radiological Status