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To: Director of Territorial Affairs From: Senior Staff Assistant for Pacific Af airsb’ . OR Bikini, Department of the 1. Fred M. Zeder, Director of Territorial Affairs - Chairman 2. John E. deYoung, Senior Staff Assistant, OTA i ‘3. Roger Ray, USERDA, Nevada l SteDhen Greenleigh, Assistant General Counsel, ERDA Earl P. Gilmore, Holnes & Narver, Anaheim, California Oscar DeBrum, DISTAD, Marshall Islands Peter T. Coleman, Deputy High Commissioner, TTPI Dr. Robert A. Comrd, Brookhaven National Laboratory Emmett !1. Rice, Deputy Director, OTA Charles Schmitz, OMSN Charlotte Mauldin, OTA Congresswoman Carmen Bigler (Congress of Micronesia) A. Introduction: The group was welcomed by Mr. Zeder who briefly
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to recap, the ERDA June Radiological Survey results to discuss reactions of the people of Bikini; and to discuss future actions with respect to the Bikini B. Recap of ERDA June Radiological Survey Conclusions and 1. Tommy McCraw, ERDA, presented a recap of ERDA’s conclusions and recommendations based on the June Radiological Summary of the Survey, Conclusions and Recommendations attached as Appendix “A.t@ Dr. Robert A. Conard presented a review of personnel monitoring dor.e on Bikini I~l~i&d to dat~. Full text of his remarks attached as Appendix “B.” Mr. George M. Allen, Micronesia Legal Services Corporation, representing the people of Bikini, raised a number of (a) Inquiry on how many times the gamma spectrographic analysis utilizing the lead counter had been done. Reply: Dr. Conard indicated this analysis had been carried out once to date on the small group of people living on Bikini Island, in April 1974. (b) Inquiry as to whether radiation levels of people were . expected to go up after return to Bikini as had been. the case for the Rongelapese after their return to Reply: Dr. Conard indicated that although there may be a slight increase in body burdens after return to Bikini Island this would not be comparable to case of the Rongelapese. The Rongelapese had intake of locally grown foods at once after return whereas the residents of Bikini Island would not be eating local foods since they would not be available.
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(c) ERDA’s preliminary report had a table indicating that men and women would be spending 20 to 15% of time, respectively, in the interior of the island. Question was raised whether this time frame had been predicated on current period or situation when the coconut groves would be in full production. . &FLY: Nat Greenhouse of Brookhaven National Laboratory stated that these time estimates were based on projections of when coconut trees. would be fully bearing. (d) Mr. Allen inquired as to relationship between thyroid abnormalities in Rongelapese individuals and possible beta-gamma residual radiation on Rongelap Island. Reply: Dr. Conard stated that it was believed that all thyroid cases were result of fallout experienced by the individual. The Rongelapese exposed to fallout received an internal dose to the thyroid gland from radioactive isotopes of iodine. (e) Mr. Allen indicated that there were indications of poison fish in the Bikini Lagoon although this was not necessarily related to the atomic testing program. He wondered though, what affect any restriction on local fish might have on the diet component of the people of Bikini on their return. : Reply: Mr. Roger Ray noted that the University of Hawaii was conducting research on the general problem of fish poisoning. Presently, short of testing each fish with a “mongoose” tester, scientists have not come up with Distad DeBrum pointed out t~t it is usually the Red Snapper which falls into the dangerous category. Pattern is found throughout the Marshalls. Problem though is that there is no consistent pattern, i.e.) at one time of year, Red Snapper may be poisonous, not another time, etc. 3. Prospective Aerial Survey Mr. Joe Deal, ERDA, presented a brief synopsis of legacies of nuclear testing in the Pacific. The problems from Pacific weap’ons testing, the fallout and fallout pattern, and the need for an aerial radiological survey were described. Summary in chart form is appended as Appendix “C.” Mr. George Allen, MLSC, raised a number of questions.
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~ (a) Funding required; the frame required; time of start of survey if funds were available. that is of all the testing areas, presumably, exclusive of Enewetak Atoll’ which has been aerially surveyedy would involve: cost : $2-1/2 to $3 million (ERDA can fund timeframe: 60 days in Pacific -- 4-8 months for Starting time: ERDA ready to start at once but requires necessary logistic does not have any funds programmed for logistic support. In reply to a question from Mr. Allen, he stated that DOD has yet to make a decision on whether it would seek funds for such a project. He pointed out that DOD was not asked about logistic support until last spring. DOD is prepared to provide support at this time on a reimbursable basis. (b) Mr. Allen, MLSC, then asked if DOD was saying that it did not wish to accept responsibility for support. If so, who is going to take responsibility.to get money for the support phase of the proposed survey? Es@Y: Capt. Elster referred to the original Executive arrangement on Bikini, i.e.-, Radiological Survey - AEC DOD had accomplished its part of the cleanup. The question of which agency should support the logistic requirements might have to be made by OMB. Mr. Deal noted.that ERDA has discussed the matter with . lfr. Allen commented that he had read the latest “round robin” of letters between Department of the Interior and Department’ of Defense on the matter, but no
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Capt. Elster pointed out that DOD would approach the matter on a humanitarian basis if it could be shown that there was radiation danger on Bikini Island. On such a basis, DOD could act at once but ERDA conclusions a“re that this danger does not exist. DOTA Zeder comnented on the long-range strategic interests for the knowledge which would come from such an aerial survey, as well as immediate need for Bikini Atoll. He stated that DOI gives the matter high priority. c. Report by Distad DeBrum on Meeting with People on Kili Island Distad DeBrum requested Mr. Earl Gilmore, Holmes and Narver, who serves as consultant to the Distad for Bikini program, to ‘ report on the Bikini Master Plan. Mr. Gilmore explai~ed why the “Master Plan” for Bikini did not come into being until close to 4 years after start of construction. The Master Plan utilized both Bikini Island and Eneu Island, although 63 of the original complement of 78 houses were planned for Bikini Island. He noted that Eneu Island could take care of all the population (some 700) at the present time, but long-range needs wouid require use of other islands. Only 78 houses ’are funded in the present proposal although the Master Plan notes that, if the desire of the people of Bikini would be met some 150 houses were. projected. This would provide for, future population requirements. Distad DeBrum then briefly described the visit week of September. He explained to the people survey had recommended use of houses on Bikini specific restrictions, i.e., no constipation of to Kili the first that the new food from the Island,-also no more houses to be built-o; Bikini In his estimation, the people of Kili now are split” into two groups. A group made up of individuals who were born on Bikini (perhaps 150-200) want to go back before December. A younger group have expressed a desire to stay on Kili in view of the new circumstances. This raises the question of whether the new houses for this group could be built on Kili Island. The older group, who wish to return, ask that the Government assure them that radiation factors on Bikini Island will not cause ill health. If it is held that Bikini Island is not habitable, then this older group wishes to resettle on Eneu Island. Distad DeBrum pointed out that there was mixed feelings because of the restrictions which had been recommended.
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Hr. George.Allen said that he had talked to tlic Magistrate at Kili via shortwave radio on Monday, September 15, and received the impression that only two of the elders on the Council now are insistent about going back within the next several months. He did not know, however, how many family members would be involved with these two leaders. He.thought that there might be a somewhat less pressing problem about early return than had . been indicated at the Kili meeting. He noted, though, that the shortwave radio contact was, at best, tentative and felt that the only way to get a reliable reading is to go back to Kili It was his belief that regardless of the current restrictions patterns of life in Bikini, some 150 younger people to remain on Kili Island and perhaps another group to live on Jaluit Island. Ex Gratia Payment Mr. Allen commented on matters with respect to the Bikini Ex Cratia payment. He thinks it essential that the rightful claimants be identified. A formula for distribution should be determined now and this should come from the Bikini Council. He commented that numbers may be inflated by the desire to participate in Ex Gratia payment and stated that he was planning to attempt to identify Mr. Gilmore (Holmes and Narver), referred to the census done in 1974 for the Master Plan which identified 426 people on Kili and Bikini Islands, with another 362 individuals who claimed Bikini affiliation scattered elsewhere in the Marshalls. This gives a planning figure of 784. Unawareness of people of Bikini of Earlier AEC Reports . Mr. Allen stated that MLSC (MarshalIs) is translating the 1967 AEC report on Bikini Atoll as well as a summary on Rongelap in order that the people of Bikini can have access .to first-hand ~fOrmation. He felt that more original information should be Mr. Zeder closed the meeting by assuring the principal participants that DOI would do everything it could to cooperate with other agencies involved and ,Would try to resolve pressing mStterS tkt now face the Bikini program.
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TO EVALUATE TIIIC POTENTIAL EXTERNAL GAMMA DOSES ASSOCIATED WITH PROPOSED HOUSING LOGATIONS ON BIKINI AND ENEU CEIVED THROUGH THE MAJOR TERRESTRML FOOD CROPS ON THE ATOLL. ERDA, EPA, LLL, BNL, UNIV. OF WASH.,
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AVAILABILITY OF SURVEY RESULTS EXTERNAL RADIATION. MEASUREMENTS THESE RESULTS WERE AVAILABLE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE SURVEY IN JUNE 1975. FURTHER REl?INEMENTS MAY BE MADE WITH THE AVAILABILITY OF THERMOLUMINESCENT 130SIMETER (TLD) RESULTS IN OCTOBER 1975, AND AN AERIAL SURVEY OF >BIKINI AND OTHER ATOLLS IN 1976; BUT NO SUBSTANTIAL CHANGES IN THE JUNE RESULTS ARE EXP~CTED. GROUND WATER MEASUREMENTS RESULTS AVAILABLE IN OCTOBER 1975. RESULTS AVAILABLE ABOUT JANITARY 1976. OTHER ISLANDS IN BIKINI ATOLL i. DETAILED SURVEYS TO BE MADE IN 1976. \
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Live on Bikini Island - 40 Houses Interior ? Grow all food on Bikini Island. 10.56 11.99>: Import pandanus and breadfruit. 5.92 7.35 Live on Eneu Island Anywhere on Eneu ! Grow all food on Eneu Island. 2.04 Note: Radiation standard for whole-body for 30 years - 5.0 Rem/30 Yr. *F’ood can be i reported from outside the Atoll or grown on Eneu Island.
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PEOPLE LIVINGON BIKINI ISLANDFAY RECEIVEA RANGEOF EXPOSUREABOVEAND ~~ BELOW THE STANDARDSDEPENDIilGWl{ERETHEY LIVE AND THE SOURCEOF CERTAIN T EXPOSUREESTIMTES FOR PEOPLE LIVING IN THE INTERIOROF BIKINI ISLANDARE ~‘ HIGHERTHAN FOR LIVING IN THE PRESENT40 HOUSES, GROWINGALL FOODS ON BIKINI ISLANDGIVESDOSE ESTIFATESABOVE THE ANNUAL IITORTINGA NUFBEROF FOODS THAT ARE A NORPALPART OF THE DIET OR GROWING : THESE FOODS ON ENEU ISLANDIS REQUIREDTO REDUCEDOSE ESTIPATESFOR THE 40 HOUSESTO LEVELSBELOW THE STANDARDS, IPPORTINGALL FOOD IS REQUIREDTO BRING DOSES WITHIN THE STANDARDSFOR -n LIVINGON ENEU ISLANDAND GROWINGALL FOODS TIIEREGIVESDOSE ESTIPATES - WELL BELOW THE RADIATIONSTANDARDSFOR BOTH ANNUAL AND 30-YEARDOSESt ‘ NO RESTRICTIONSON USE OF LAND OR ON FOOD GROWNON THE ISLANDARE NEEDED “
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.,;..’.-;-,~!.*..,...‘;,<,:>.,. 1, NO ADDITIONALIIOUSESSHOULD BE CONSTRUCTEDIN THE INTERIOROF BIKINI ISLAND OR ALONG THE LAEOON ROAD, TliEEXISTIIJGtlOUSESALONG TIIELAGOON ROAD FAY BE OCCUPIEDIF CERTAINRESTRICTIONSARE FOLLONED, ~ 21 2, THE ADDITIONALHOUSESAT BIKINIATOLL StlOULDBE CONSTRUCTEDON ENEU ISLAND.:,..:#Zi.,f..,.:.,..... ENEU ISLA~lDSHOULDBE THE POPULATIONCENTEROF THE ATOLL FOR THE INDEFINITE,.. 3, COPNJI{lTYFACILITIESPLANNEDFOR THE VILLAGEAREA AT BIKINI ISLANDPAY BE .I CONSTRUCTEDTO SERVE THE NEEDS OF THE PEOPLEWHO WILL OCCUPY T}IEEXISTING 4, RESTRICTIONSSHOULDBEPLACEDONUSEOFCERTAINLOCAL FOODS FROM BIKINI, D, BREADFRUITGROWNON BIKINI ISLANDSHOULDNOT BE USED, .
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~G, OTHER FOODS SUCH AS BANANAAND PAPAYA GROWN O)JBIKINI ISLAiiDSHOULD NOT BE USED UNTIL THEY HAVE BEEN ANALYZEDAND DECLAREDIACCEPTABLE, ~ NO RESTRICTIONSARE NEEDEDON ANY FOOD ITE)E Q?OWN ON ENEU ISLAND, .CRUSHEDCORAL GRAVELAROUIJDTHE HOUSESRESULTS IN {REDUCTION OF EMERNAL EXPOSURERATES, THIS PRACTICESI{OULDBENuIITAINEDATALL HOUSESAND .LENS WATER ON BIKINIAND ENEU ISLANDSSHOUU BE USED FOR AgricultureONLY, ; ON USE OF ENEU WATER FOR COOKINGANO DRINKING,A FINAL STATEMENTTO THIS
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As a result of the rcccnt mcc~!ng at Kili by Trust Territory, ERDA and MicPoncsian Legal Service officials concernin~ restrictions on rehabilitation of Bikini it is apparent that there arc several points of misunderstanding in the minds of the Bikini people concerning statements I have made regarding the radiolo~ical safety of Bikini. Before reviewing the radiological monitoring obtained on the people living at Bikini I would like to clarify some of the confusion. l?irst, at the t~me of the Ad. Hoc Committee meeting, the-visit of the Tmst Territory and AEC officials to Kili in 1968 and my visit to the island in 1969, the statements made about the radiological safety of Bikini were justified based on the sunrey data’ compiled at that time. subsequent . . analyses of personnel monitoring data on the people living at Bikini showed., ldw levels of Zzd;cact:vity ir. the people confirming the original conclusions. In all sincerity, I disclosed this as additional assurance to the people ,., living there. Based on these findings I would not hesitate to live in one..+ of the houses on Bikini. I am about me at the Kili rnceting. people of Bikini and in no way sad about the. statcme,nts a few people made I have great friendship and respect for the and at any time have 1 tried to mislead them. From the beginning rhercwmecertain restrictions concerning “rehabilitation of Bikini. It is only vely rcccntly that radiological syrvey data has made ‘ it ncccssary to impose further restrictions. I would like .to clear up another point of confusion regarding “medical” examinations. We have never done medical examinat~ >ns on the Bikini people for possible radiation effects. The reason is that the radiation levels are “ so low that such examinations are not necessary. For this reason it is wrong for anyone to accuse us of using the people living at Bikini to study radiation
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effects”. Radiation there is too.slight for medical studies to bc of interest since no radiation’effects would likely be detectable. The urine collection “ and mcasurcmcnts of the body for radioactivity are not medical procedures and are done by technicians. These measurements are important since they 4 form the basis for reassurance of the people living on”Bikini regarding their radiological safety. Though we are not doing medical examinations ‘if our doctors are at Bikini, as in the past, we will always be glad to see, “treatand prescribe for any people that …
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