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Department of Energy MEMORANDUM FOR Mrs. Ruth C. Van Cleve Director, Office of Territorial and International Affairs U.S. Department of the Interior Office of the Secretary Science Advisor and Assistant to the Secretary Territorial and International U.S. Department of the Interior Attached are the estimated radiation dose projections to the people of Bikini should they return to live on Bikini Island or on Eneu Island. The various scenarios (e.g., residence island, time spent on Bikini or Eneu Islands, diet, rotation times) were requested by Mr. Jonathan Weisgall in consultation both with you and with us. The table is self-explanatory. For example, should the people (a) return to reside on Eneu Island, (b) spend 10% of their time on Bikini Island (but eat no food from Bikini Island), and (c) consume a diet 50% of which consists of imported foods, the maximumannual dose to the bone marrow (the organ receiving the greatest amount of radiation) is estimated to be about 450 millirem per year, with a 30-year dose of 3000-3500 millirem. These values compare with U.S. radiation exposure limit-s of 500 millirem per year and 5000 millirem over 30 years, The dose levels in the table assume that the people would return to Bikini Atoll during 1981. Also, it is assumed that, except for the case in which residence is on Bikini Island, no food from Bikini Island will These estimates are based upon the most recent analyses of data from Bikini Atoll which was obtained during the Northern Marshall Islands survey, as well as upon other information. We have no reason to believe that these estimated values will change, but should additional information become available which might significantly affect these estimates, you will immediately be informed.
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1. For those dose estfzztes which exceed U.S. Radiation exposure limlts, w are In the process of calculating the number of years whicki ww?d elapse befcre the est$nzte< doses would be within the U.S. standzrds, It Is expecte~ that these values wI1l become available sometime durtng or shortly after mid-September. 2. Dose estimates for residences on the five southern Islands calculated and should be available within a week or tm. Even though the above are not avatlable at thfs time, we dld not UISh to delay the attached informat~on In view of fts slgnlflcance to your Should there be any questions, please feel free to call ~e at 353-3208. Office of Health and Environmental Research, Off{ce of Environment J. Healy, Los Alamos
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