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Assistant Administrator for Environment and SAfety and make a few to your letter of April llth, on the status of the bioassay 1977, I would like to bring program on the Bikinians and the program in general. First, I would like to call your attention to the results of the gamma spectrographic analysis on the Eiki.ni people done by Dr. Cohn and his group when we were at Bikini last month. The 13]C5 levels had increased 10-15 times over those of 1974. (See enclosed table comparing Bikini levels with those of RonCelap and Utirik.) In discussions wit-h the people, they admitted eating panclanus and breadfruit, even though they knew they were forbidden fruits. No doubt, their urine 90Sr values wi].1 also prove to be elevated. Even though the mean body burdens were at or slightly above the MPC), I think this is a serious finding and merits consideration for positive action -– perhaps even moving the people or removing the plants. An enclosed table from IIAS1,shows the latest Pu findings on the Bikini and other groups. You will note that because of. the error in counting,only a few samples gave reliable measurements. These appeared to be somewhat lower than previously reported, which may be encouraging. We still have not rulecl out the problem of contamination. During the April visit to RonEelap ancl Bikini, we attempted CO collect a number of samples aboard the LCU under ‘[clean” conditions as suggested by the TTG panel. T%is collection was disappointing since the stay at the islancls Was not long enough to give an adequate collection. However, other sampl.cs were coil.ecteclwhich are to be analyzed by HASL. Carboys were also left for long--term collection. I understand a I.ow-level Pu analysis importance of thes:? analyses ~lld inc]:easing numbers of samples indicated, other laboratories which can C1O this type of ana].ysi.sare badly needed.
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It was interestj.ng that while at Bikini the subject of Pu was not brought up by the people. F/e told them that low levels of the isotope were found in their urines and that we were lieeping constant ~ab on this ancl other radi.onuclides by urine analyses and whole body counts. Dr. Cohn presented a talk on radiation on Bikini compared with Rongelap and Utirik and some higher level areas of the world. The people asked us many questions; there was much discussion and the meeting lasted several I welcome the meeting at ERDA on May 16th since many of us here feel the need for clarification of responsibilities with so many groups involved in the bioassay program in the Marshalls. \ -..
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