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Declassified record · U.S. Department of Energy

Correspondence, Subject: Eniwetok Cleanup Criteria Format

Dated
Apr 20, 1973
Document type
Correspondence
Length
12 pages
Open the original scanArchive record OSTI ID 16376932 · public domain

Document text

Machine-read from the scan, so expect some errors. Lines that couldn’t be read are left out.

Page 1

ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION Division of Operational Safety ENIWETOK f2zAmTP CRITERIA FORMAT I I am providing the attached draft format in response to your suggestion at the April 18, 1973, meeting with General Caromand Dr. Biles that we work together on this matter. As we have discmesed, the return of the Eniwatokese people to their home islands. Although we are quite aware that these tritaria ~t be expressed numerically until the results of the recent USAEC radiological sammy are avai~le, we wisualiae the format fcr the criteria as consisting of at least three essential parts; namely, assumptions, alternative actions, and the results of these alternative actioms. With a short introductory statement and a concluding ovemiew of the postcleanup L radiological conditioa of the entire Eniwetok, we would like to suggest organization of the format as shown in enclosure (1). I hope that we e develop this format at an early date so that General - may 4Maeusa it with General Dunn in the near fut=e. Please let Commmdar Wolff or me know when you would like to dimuaa Assistant Director for Tests Division of Military Application Miwetok Cleanup Criteria

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Viewed in any context, the radiologically safe resettlement of the Eniwetok Atoll is the ultimate goal of the prepar~ory cleanup/rehabilitation program. Since the repatriation of the Eniwetok natives is imminent, - it is essential that the responsible U. S. government agencies insure that cleanup operations and resettlement of the atoll are effected in a manner that poses no unacceptable present er future radiological hazard following cleanup and the projected well-being of-the Eniwetokese people should be publicized. As a minimum, and mindful of any resettlement restrictions, the same favorable sanction that was issued by the Ad Hoc -. Committee during the rehabilitation of the Bikini Atoll (Reference 1) should be reiterated by the appropriate authority. Combining the assessments of the radiological survey and knowledge of the expected lifestyles of the Eniwetokese, the atoll has been partitioned into a number of different entities which have within themselves -, commonality of geography or radiological environment or both. These are therefore termed “georadiological entities” and are listed in Attachment 1, which also shows their radiological conditions as determined by the AEC Radiological Survey.

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Certain radiological categories are established which correspond”to the gradations in radiological conditions reasonably expected to characterize Eniwetok Atoll geographically after cleanup operations. These radiological categories are given in Attachment 2 with accompanying descriptions and limiting radiological criteria. The following assumptions and alternative actions constitute the approach in trying to attain the best radiological category for each geographical segment of the Eniwetok atoll.

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(a)hAEC rad s adiological condition & (b) That the living and dietary habits of the Eniwetokese are thoroughly studied to ascertain, ’properly weight, and assess .4 the various pathways leading to total radiation exposure of the \ populace. The details of such habits will be included. internal radiation) to the ~esett~ed E~li~etokesepeople will not exceed FRC guidelines and will be kept as low as practicable. The following table has been developed to state these guidelines in terms of doses to the population. The entries in this table equivalent to the FRC guidelines are: WHOLE BODY BONE THYROID LUNGS

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YEARS WHOLE BODY BONE THYROID LUNGS (d) That the contributions to accumulated dose arising from the indigenous ~ marine plants, fish , vegetation, land animals$ and fowl can be That the bioenvironmental influence of the lagoon waters and lagoon ecosystems is sufficiently well known throughout the entire atoll. 9&&[a~$ilable to the -natives for as long as necessary to compensate That selected islands, parts of islands , or other areas on Eniwetok atoll can be effectively quarantined or otherwise,limited if deemed radiologically necessary. actions represent those options available under the for improving, if possible, the radiological condition

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of any contaminated areas. Plausible alternative actions are: Leave in present condition . Remove all tatig&& radioactive weapon debris Remove all ‘tL&&~&- radioactive scrap, concrete, structures or other debris having activities greater than Soil removal ( inches), plowing ( deep) or covering and concentrations of or lower Impose specific use, occupancy or visit restrictions. Wait for years. the georadiological entities defined, their present condition stated, and plausible alternatives listed , criteria can then be established and expressed in a form such as Attachment 3. From the compilation of such forms for all georadiological entities, decisions can be made to select some optimized set of,radiological conditions for achieving an appropriate category for that entity. A final statement can then be prepared describing what the overall radiological condition of Eniwetok Atoll will be based on whatever combination of alternatives may be selected.

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ENTITY PRESENT CONDITION All of island FRANK plus lagoon water to the foot curve and the entire reef plate. The land 1 area within coordinates , Radiological Category: Visitable Doses to man if allowed to live without cleanup (Refer to table in The land area within coordinates Radiological Category: Restricted Significant radiological problem(s) are:

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Radiological categories have been established which provide guidelines about the safety and possible uses of specific atoll areas. The radiological criteria are presented as simple tables or Although the formal criteria appear to be quite straightforward, it is important to realize that the process of calculating or estimating a particular dose may be quite complex. In general, the cumulative dose is composed of the sum of the time-integrated constituent contributions. These constituent contributions include but are not limited to the in air, soil, sources of radiological activity: vegetation, land animals, water, fish, and other (b) External exposure associated with the air, soil, scrap materials, In examining any portion of Eniwetok atoll, the relative importance of these constituent contributions will vary on an island-by-island basis and will have to be assessed accordingly by knowledgeable technical

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CATEGORY DESCRIPTION CRITERIA Surrounding media safe .. for fish, farming, and t Note: Allowances are made in these criteria for doses resulting from visits to areas is based on the Eniwetokese in the Radiological Suney Limited Livability Conditionally Safe Xl through X24 as above. Areas Permanent Occupancy - in this category are considered Safety of Surrounding radiologically safe for Ecological Media occupancy provided that certain Uncertain stated restrictions on potential sources of internal radiation, e.g., from suspect coconut crabs or pandanus, are J adhered to. Occupants of such an area may or to obtain food may not be obliged

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Arable No Permanent Occupancy Ground and Water suitable for farming, fishing, and raising of livestock Visitable No Permanent Occupancy No use of vegetation, no farming, and no raising of livestock Restricted No Occupancy No Visits Allowed Visit durations not to exceed: See note under “Fully Visit durations not to exceed: See note under “Fully

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CLEJINUTCRITERIA SUMMARY SHEET 1. Georadiological entity: Island FRANK ---- etc. 2. Present status: Category “Arable” 3. Actions required to place in a less restrictive category: (1) Leave in present condition (2) Wait for 28 years (1) Remove all tangible radioactive weapon debris (2) Remove all tangible radioactive scrap, concrete structures and other debris having activities greater than l (3) Remove 2 inches of topsoil to achieve radioactive exposure levels and concentrations of or lower. (1) Remove all tangible radioactive weapon debris (2) Remove all tangible radioactive scrap, concrete structures and other debris having activities greater than . (3) Remove 2 inches of topsoil to achieve radioactive exposure concentrations of or lower.