Meeting of July 10, 1958 to Discuss Rongelap Program

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MEETING OF JULY 10, 1958 t o DISCUSS RONGELAP PROGRAM Conard chaired the meeting. Topics discussed were as follows: I.Need for evaluating hazard Dunning remarked that is the original decision to return the natives there was no intimation that the natives would be living at Eniaetok. Conard and Held indicated that collections had been made a t Eniaetok and Rongelap that could be used to provide data for assessment of hazard and such studies would be continued. Best methods of evaluating levels of various isotopes in food were discussed in light of the large of the amount of variance between individual samples. Held suggested that ghost samples of daily rations be collected recognizing the difficulties of obtaining the natives cooperation. Exploration of the idea seemed desirable. Conard said that he had one such sample and Dunham recommended that Seymour contact Hollister and arrange to have this sample analyzed. Conard suggested use of whole body counter in the field to determine levels in food items. Held concurred and suggested large - 100 lbs when available, (copra) - sample for this purpose with ali quo ts of the same material for laboratory analysis. Dunning indicated that there is a need for average values and that pooled samples might serve this purpose. Conard introduced the concept that the relationships of the people t o their environment could be evaluated best by studies of specific isotopes.

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Conard offered the suggestion of obtaining a ship with an iron room and equipped t o do the sort of work that is now being done a t Rongelap on a permanent basis and thus have a floating laboratory ready t o go where ever needed. This suggestion was offered for future consideration rather than The SrgO burden inthe 1956 death inthe population was 0.8 of a strontium unit. Teeth fiave been collected for Sr90 determination. Bruner pointed that in order to have comparable data simular parts of the tooth should Most of the Sr gO can be expected inthe cementegLlregion of the Sr90 and Cs137 analyses are summarized inthe following table : d/m/ liter of urine 12. 174. Collected 24 days after Bravo. Analyzed 2 years later The following data were presented by Cohn. I n 1958 Cs137 body burden I n 1957, 21165 body burden a t Rongelap by whole body counting 0.03 t o 0.07 4c.In 1957, Zn65 body burden at Uti rik by whole body counting 0.48 and 0.23. I n 1958 Zn65 body burden a t Rongelap by whole body counter showing presence of La140 in post Hardtack samples, were presented. people have La peak, others do not. The background gamma curves from pre and post Hardtack,

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To in sure comparable data Conard suggested a central laboratory for radiochemical analyses of samples. o f having the same group that is responsible for the collection of Held pointed out the desirability samples also to be responsible for the analyses in order to assure full interpretation of the data. opinion. It was generally agreed that duplicate samples should be exchanged between laboratories in order to evaluate the variability i n methods of analyses made by the different laboratories. Dunham and Seymour concurred with this Time of surveys was discussed and because of commitments of U. of W. personnel the requested time for start of the next joint survey was between February 15 and March 1 although Conard had originally suggested the vessel from the Department of Navy. regulations industrial funding may require that the AEC pay €or the vessel ' s operation. Dunham said that the decision as to selection of vessel should be deferred until Conard had received definite word W. and 22 Brookhaven personnel. Dunham suggested that an effort first be made to secure Anton mentioned that under new For the joint survey there would bea maximum of 8 U of For theU of W summer survey use of the "Aloto", assigned to Holmes and Narver, seemed most feasible. per day o r about $20000 for the summer survey. Use of this vessel will cost $1250