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REPORT OF THE AD HOC COMMITTEE TO EVALUATE THE RADIOLOGICAL HAZAI~SWRESEYTLEMENTOF THE BIKINI ATOLL 8 The Committee was convened eo consider the question of whether the Bikini Atoll is safe for human habitation with respect t o the radiological hazard. tlhe various relocation s of the Bikini natives is described The detailed history of W e have examined the documents listed in Appendix 11. I n. addition,we spent one and,one-half days in detailed discussions with m e m b e r s of the 1967 Bikini Survey Team and other ' -sxperts as shown i n Appendix SIX. On the basis of the infoxmation provided, we have reached the following conclusions 1. The exposures to xadiation that would result from the repatriation 02 the Bikini people do not offer a sign if i can k threat to their health and Such exposure may and gAould be further reduced by t h e following simple measures: a. Restrict rehabilitation for the present to the islands of the Bikini-Eneu complex. Establish the first village and immediate food crops on Eneu. t i o n s will be needed on Eneu because of its Any village canstruction on Bikini Island should involve the covering of the site with coral rock aa i s the local custom.. Radioactive scrap metal should be removed from the islands dj a cunt to former shot sites, The population of land crabs should be sharply reduced because of their high content of If pandanus tree@ which produce edible fruit are planted on Bikini Island, two inches of topsoil should removed from the planting sites. T h e area of removal from each site should be equal to the area covered by the crown of mature trees.
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t3.Determinations should be made of body burdens of cesium 137 and strontium90at the end of the first year of residence on the Atoll and as approrelocation would be desirable. Resurveys of e n - v 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 of the people and environment and will help form a basis for decision as t o the time of re habitation of islands outside of the Bikini-Eneu complex. * pri ate thereafter.Baseline surveys prior to 4.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 strontium90uptake by relieving the calcium deficiency usually associated with their John C. Bugher, Del Ray Beach, Florida,formerly Director Of AEC's Division df 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, John H.Harley,Director,Health and Safety Laboratory, Atomic Energy Commission, New York City. S.Allan Lorrgh, Assistant Director for Radiological Physics of AEC's' Division of Biology and Medicine. John B. Storer, Deputy Director of AEC's Division of Biology Paul Tonpkins; Executive Director, ' Federal Radiation Council, Shields Warr'en, Scientific Director, Cancer Research In st it cte, Eiew England Deacones8 Hospital, Boston, Mass.
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*A limited number of copies of the appendices to the Committee report are available on request. They are: Bikini Atoll Survey 1967," by Jack A. Tobin Appecdix I1 L i s t of Documents Examined" by Committee Appendix I11 -. L i s t of Members and Associates of the Appendix IV - Map of Bikini Atoll