Radiological Survey Plan for the Northern Marshall Islands

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SCOPE or! THE SURVEY D. AERIAL PHOTO ANT RADIOLOGICAL !3ET17EENDEPTS OF THE NAVY, ENERGY , AND INTERIOR PUBLIC INFORMATION PLAN FALLOUT FROM PACIFIC TESTS

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THE PURPOSE OF THE iiORTfiER14)IARSHALL ISLANDS SURVEY PROGRAM IS TO PROVIDE A DOCUMENTATIC:/ OF THE REMAINING RADIOACTIVITY FROM NUCLEAR TEStING AND TO PROVIDE SUPPORT DATA :OR AN ASSESSMENT OF THE RADIATION THE OBJECTIVES OF THE ?ROGRAM ARE: TO OBTAIN AERIAL PHOTOS Ah(D AERIAL RADIOLOGICAL MAPS OF THE NORTHERN MARSHALL ATOLLS, AND ISLANDS, A study has identified 11 atolls and 2 islands as those most likely to have received fallout from one or more nuclear tests conducted at Bikini and Enewetak TO OBTAIN SAMPLES 0; SOIL, WATER, PLANT LIFE AND FOOD, ADJACENT MARINE WATERS, AND i4ARINE AND TERRESTRIAL LIFE, T() PROCESS, ANALYZE, AND DETERflINE THE RADIOACTIVITY CONTENT OF COLLECTEO ENVIRONME!/TAL SAMPLES, AND, TO PREPARE A REPORT ‘/!HICHWILL PRESENT THE FINDINGS OF THE SURVEY AND AN ASSESSMENT OF THE RADIATION DOSES TO PEOPLE WHO M,4Y LIVE ON THE SURVEYED ATOLLS AND ISLANDS.

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in the p~c~~;c left 10llG-tem zaaio logical zantamlnation and health problems. ~,iliiniand Enewetak Atolls, where the resting was conducted, were the most severely affected, but fallout from these tests has touched many islands in the Northern Marshalls. Of special concern was the heavy fallout fio~. the March 1954 test which caused radiological injury to many of the people of Ronqelap and resulted in at least one death for radiation The Department of the Interior (DOI), Department of Defense (DOD), and the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), later the Energy Research and Development Administration (ERDA), and now (:he Department of Energy (DOE), cooperated in the steps taken to date to perform radiological surveys and assessments (1967-1968) and CO perform cleanup and rehabilitation of Bikini (1969 to present) and In ~he radiological survey and assessment of Enewetak Atoll techniques , including the aerial survey of :slands utilizing sensitive radiation monitoring equipment carried in helicopters. The DOD began the Enewetalc cleanup in l?Y 1977, with the DOI z-ehabllitatlon program initiated during cleanu~] to take advantage of I.ogistlcs and communications capabilities attendant to cleanup operations. Tile !IOE ht-s pcrfo~med followup radiological surveys at Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. It also conducts medical observation of the exposed populations of Rongelap and Utlrik .Atolls at frequent intervals. The Department of the Interior (DOI), Office of Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (TTPI), is responsible for rehabilitation of the former test sites, Bikini and Efiewetalc. Phase I of the Bikini program included planting of coconut trees and building 40 homes and other community buildings on JJikini island. The houses were built along the lagoon shore where the radiation levels were the lowest. In responding to a request from TTPI for

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ass~stance in locating ~ne second sroup of houses on Bikini Island, the L~A recor.mended that =?. aerial suney of the type flown at Enewetak be conciucted for tune entizs Bi’kini Atoll. This survey would pro~’ide detailed da.tz incltiding contours of the total zxtern~l gamma radiation, isotopic had the integrateti logistical support system needed for an aerial s~rveY and DOD was requested :3 supply this. Since DOD would request reimbursement for Its support ZZ3 there was insufficient time to obtain the necessary funding, ERDA conducteti a limited ground survey of external radiation levels on Bikini and Eneu Islands in .June 1975. The results of this survey showed that the radiation of r?.e interior of Bikini Island was too high for further housing settlements anti that future settlements on nearby Eneu Island would minimize radiation exposures. Currently, ....—.— not assessed properly the radiological conditions at Bikini and among other things, requests the court to order an aerial survey for Bikini comparable to that conducted at ,Tr.ewetak. During negotiations with the Department of Justice, the plaintiffs’ legal counsel recognized that the surveys and evaluation of radiolo~ica 1 conditions at Bilcini Atoll were not as comprehensive as more recent -,-orkat Enewetak Atoll, and sought an aerial radiological survey of Bikini :nd the other northern Marshall Islands. The merits of the aeri~~ survey have been thoroughly discussed at staff levels between DOI, DOD, and DOE both before and after the initiation of Llle lawsuit. Briefings ~n the survey were provided to the Adrninlstrator of ERD.4, the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health and Environment), the Department of the Inter~or, Office of Trust Territories, staff members of O~lB, and the Chairman of the ClIQ.

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(OLB) determined that c!le survey wouid be conduc~zd, and funtis for Reimbursement of DOD’S logistics support were included in a DOI lTY 78 supplerlent. DOE was directed CO absorb the :0 end soon, it is clear that the U.S. will continue Co have a vital national interest in the northern Marshal Is. Resettlement of Bikini Island has suffered a setback due to radiation exposures significantly exceeding acceptable s~andards, and the conditional nature under which Enewetak is being resettled, and the need to continue following the health of the Rongelapese, will require radiological monitoring of these people and their environment for the foreseeable fxture. The aerial survey will be a major part of a standardized data base which w1ll provide ~nformation needed for evaluating any fcture clai~.s for damage or injury. ~r will contribute to the future rnonitorlng prog:am planned for Bikini, Enewetalc, and RonSelap atolls. Ln addition to Enewetak, Bikini, and Rongelap Atolls , there are eleven other atolls or single islands that received intermediate range fallout from one or more of the megaton range tests. A number of ~hese atolls are presently ~~,habited while others are used for food collection. During nuclear test operations , rhere was a limited monitoring program that did not provide an~here near the coverage that can be obtained with the current aerial survey technology and instrumentation. In addition, there is little or no data on possible plutonium contamination outside of Bilcini and Enewetak The proposed aerial survey uses the same equipment and procedures which were successfully employed at Enewetak Atoll in i972-1973. ‘T”h~?eou-l”~-oi- –

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highly ~~isible exhaustive radiological survey of Enewetak. The Bikini portion of the aerial survey, cou?ied with the previous and planned grocnd sumeys, will go a long wa;; toward making the Bikini. data base comparable to that of Enewetak. If che aerial survey of the northern liarshalls, including Bikini, is not conducted, the U.S. Government would be te~inati.ng the Trust Territory agreement without taking all prudent steps to evaluate the residual radiological contamination on the islands affected by the U.S. nuclear

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cover the followin~ atolls and islands within the time frame of July NO. of Islands TO Be Surveyed *The term “Island” is used in t’his case to denote an isolated island that i.s not parr of zn atoll and does not have a lagoon.

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responsible for the conduct of the ?rogrzm. The Division of operational and Enviromnental Safety (oES) Headquarters, is responsible for coordination with the De~artmenc of the Interior and all Washington-1evel Federal agencies and officials and to provide the overall technical program guidance to the Nevada Operations Office. The Nevzda Operations Office Program ?lanager wili be responsible for operational control and management of ;tie field operations and for direction of support activities. These support activities include Medical, and Photo Documentation. Overall technical direction of the scientific program is assigned to Dr. William L. Robison, Lawrence Livermore Laboratory, or his designated representatives who will provide the technical direction for the aerial, terrestrial and marine field operations. All participants in the terrestrial and marine field o~erations will. be assigned as Individual mem’hers of the program. The Technical Director will also provide the direction and coordination of the terrestrial and marine sample analysis, dose assessment, and for the preparat~on of the final report. During this part of the program, Ile will report to zhe OES Projec~ Director. Invited sc~entific parties and requests for participation by other groups will be administered by the NV Project }fanager. Interaction of these parties with the field operations technical program will be coordinated by the Technical Director or his designee. The overall aerial, terrestrial and marine program i.s etpected LO include 1. Division of Operational and Environmental Safety (OES, DOE/HQ,) 2. Nevada Operations Office (NV). 3. EG&G, Las Vegas, Nevada. Livermore Laboratory (LLL), Livermore, California.

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A limited number of other scientific par~i.es may be invites to participate on a non-interference basis. Likely candidates are University of Hawaii No funds wil be allocated to these additional parties. Due to the number of islands being surveyed, the field operations which are conducted from the ship, will be divided into three distinct operational series. Technical and support personnel will be rotated through these 3 series to maintain maximum efficiency and dedication of effort. Limited medical support will be provided for DOE and contractor staff throughout the field operations. program is presented on the next two pages. .,

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The field portion of the Northern Marshall Island Radiological Survey Program will be conducted in two seuzrate operations, ?he photographic survey and the radiological sarvey. The Department of the Navy (DON) Project Manager for coordination and execution of DOD responsibilities for”rendering logistics support to this survey is Commander, ?acific Missile Test Center, Pt. Mugu, California. The photographic survey of the 11 atolls and 2 islands will be accomplished utilizing a DON fixed-wing zircraft. The platform has been specifically configured to receive the EG&G high resolution and infrsred–capable cameras, plus additional peripheral support equipment. The aircraft will be based at Kwajalein and will be required to fly 10 to 12 hours a day for approximately 24 days. This period includes contingencies for weather and aircraft down time. Utilizing the data gathered from the photo~raphic operation, an aerial radiological survey will be conducted of tie atolls, and islands by means of two helicopters equipped ~ith EG&G radiztion detection and recording instrumentation. The helicopters will normally operate from the USNS Wheeling, the base support ship. The terrestrial and marine radiological survey operations will require the services of a support vessel and will therefore also use the USNS Wheeling as a base support ship. It is estimated that 556 total flight hours will be required for the helicopters which will include flight hours for predeployment training, transporting personnel and equipment ashore, and for other administrative purposes

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The requiremer. ~ for berthing support personnel on the !JSNS Wheeling during the survey is ES follows: Department of Energy and Contractors 37

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?hotograpi]ic covers; z O: all islands of interest in the Xorthern flight maps of each. island at specific scales for use by che radiation survey team, (2) specific data analysis to provide a variety of Coverage will be obtained using present photographic equipment operated for the DOE by EC&G. This equipment is calibrated and adjusted for optimum performance The photo mission will be flown, to obtain imagery suitable for production of photographic prints. using an EC-121 provided by the Pacific Missile Test CenVer based out of Kwajelein. Some film processing will be accomplished while at Kwajelein utilizing the ?hoto lab operated by lKENTRON. The film processing of imagery obtained foi scientific !]urposes will be processed under controlled conditions by EG&G in Las Vegas, Nevada. Seven EG&G personnel are required to support the mission which is expected to take 24 days. This time includes weather and down-

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The .AerTal Radiation Surveys will 5e carried gut by ~eans of two ;;a~y helicopters which will fly ~.ultiple missions from the USNS WHEELING station near the atoll or in the lsgoons when possible. EG&G will supply the scientific ~~ight crews and technical support personnel to operate and maintain che radiat~on measuring and position measuring equipment. The aerial radiation survey will employ an array of forty 12.7 cm diameter by 5 cm thick NaI(Tl) scintillation detectors mounted within two pads which are hung externally on the helicopter. Signals from the detectors are fed into a multichannel data acquisition systea nounted inside the helicopter. Gamiia radiation data is accumulated continuously and recorded on magnetic tape cnze each second. In addition to the radiation da~a, ?osition information provided by a microwave ranging system and a radar altimeter are also recorded on magnetic tape each seconcl. Flight lines on exch atoll island spaced 45 meters apart will be flown at zn altitude of 30 meters and a speed of 30 meters per second. A steering indicator, using signals from the microwave ranging system, will be used to aid the helicopter pilot in maintaining uniform flight line spacing. A large portion of the data reduction will be performed in the field using two NOVA 840 minicomputer ‘based da~a reduction systems. Radiation and position data are correlated on a second–by-second basis and processed in the form of radiation contours overlayed on aerial photographs.

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Specifically, the data h-ill be processed to provide total gamma ray e?~osure rate (extrapolated to the 1 meter level) and selec~ed detectability on the order of 5 pCi/g for Am and less than 1 pCi/g “for 137CS and 60Co can be obtained with this system.

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The purpose of this F2XZ of the radiological survey.-zrogram is to doccxent and evzluate io t:he form of radio iogica.1 Lose assessments the probable consequences o= living on the 13 atolls Znd islsnds being studied. The goals are to collect appropriate and sufficient representative samples and to analyze and obtain quality data from which these assessments can be To provide a meaningful dose assessment at the conclusion of the overall survey program, soil and vegetation sampling will be required. These samples will be analyzed for , one of the major contributors to the potential dose, and the transuranics (the tr.ansuranics primarily include Am). Soil sampling is required to determine the depth distribution of gamma emitters to help quzntify and verify the aerial radiological survey data. It has been found that 90 percent of the total predicted doses to populations at Bikini and Enewetak Atolls are due to Sr and 137Cs ingested via the terrestrial foocchains. To properly assess this pathway, soil profile and surface soil samples and vegetation samples must be collected to determine the potential radionuclide uptake in subsistence crops. The Eransuranics arc determined to evaluate the longterm potential effects from the gradual buildup of these isotopes. The terrestrial program will include collection of ~he following types of 3. Subsistence crops and associated soil profiLes (i.e. coconut, Pandanus fruit , breadfruit, papaya, squash, etc.). These crops may not be available on many of the atolls. However, wherever they are available, it is of primary importance to sample the edible proclucts and determine the associated soil profiles.

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if available. These ~re not as high priority as the soils and vegetations, but shou;ti be collected when readily available. Domestic animals and fowl (e.g. , pigs anti chickens)- on some of the atolls domestic animals be obtained to evaluate the radionuclide intzke and fowl may be available. If so, they should the radionuclide uptake in animals that are Large areas of the island and to help evaluate of the people via the diet, Sample processing will be performed at LLL. Ganuna spectroscopy and wet chemistry analysis will be performed at LLL and on special subcontract to of the marine organisms commonly consumed at the atolls will be to estimate …