Exposure of Marshall Islanders and American Military Personnel to Fallout (Castle Operation, Bravo Event)

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fz IOFFICIAL USE ONLY 410283 OPERATION CASTLE — PROJECT 4.1 ADDENDUYI Report to the Scientific Director OF MARSHALL !SLANDERS AND Naval Xledical Research Institute BEST COPY AVAILABLE ~

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concerning the clinical studiee, and the lnternai radioactive contamination of the 82 native inhabitants of Rongelap sad AIMn@nae stills who were exposed to radioactive fallout following the detonation of Shot 1 at W@ oa 1 March 1954. Eighteen nattves who were temporarily resid!ng or vieitlng at Sifo Island (Ailingfaae Atoll) 1-3 Marah are also listed. This addendum repart contains the following supplementary data regwding these exposed Mardialleso: (1) a detailed sketch of Rongelap VUW (2) a brief d-rip~o~ of the isleaders’ homes and their food and water aupplles; (3) the various family groups and the location of their dwellings; (4) events during fallou& (5) the evacuation and decontamination procedures; and (6) readlnge of the external radioactive cmtaminatton of The majori~ of this material was obtained after the Mardallese were evacuated from their home Ialande (while they were under medicd observation at Kwajalein). Additional information was obtained when either one or both authors accompanied radiological eurvey teams to Rongehp. Th8Se WMV8YtrfPe were madS 26 Mtuch, 3 April, and 21-23 April 1954. Due to language interpretation difficulties, some of the material ia incomplete or inaccurate and is subject to correction and revision by future survey Twenty-eight American Mf.litary personnel stationed on Entwetak Island, Rongerdc Atoll, were exposed to radioactive fiiliout foLlowdngthe detonation of Shot 1 at BUdni on 1 March 19S4. The onset of visible fallout material was observed at approximately 1400-1430 hours, 1 March. An ATN/3a Recording Dosimeter, located on the island (Eniwetak), gave first positive indication that fallout partlclea were radioactive. This inatrurnent went off ecale at 100 mr/hr at H plus 6 hours and 46 minutee. Authorities at Eniwetok were notified of fallout via dispatch. Personnel of Ronge* were evacuated by plan. to Kwajalein at 1245 and 1800 hours, 2 M-ch. Follow~g decontamination procedures the mea were sent to the infirmary at Eniwetok for clinical observation end prehdnary cllaical study. On 16 March, they were returned to Kwajaleti and placed under care of the personnel of Project 4.1. The details of the clinical studies are presented in the final report of Project 4.1. The expoeure of these individuals afforded a unique opportuni~ to etu@ the effects of radladon in man and it was considered deeirable to supplement the clinical studies with as much Information as possible concerning the period of exposure. Accordi@y, theee men were interviewed individually and asked to describe the fallout, their activities during the fallout, foods and liquids consumed, their clothing and housing, the batim in the present report. The report also includes a summary of these intervtws, film-badge readings, and readings of the external radioactive contamination of the men before and during the decontamination procedures.

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The authors are iadabted to CHUN L. G. Barr, the Radiological Safq Orncer for the Naval Air Station, Kwajaloin and to the rnmabers of the radiation eumuy and decontamhation teams of Squadroxi VP-29 for the radiological lrvuy data obtained from 3 March until the arrival of the personnel of Project 4.1089 MarclL The Trust Territory reprecentatiws, J. E. Tobin and Marion Wilde, eeWJished aad maintained a closo Uaiaon between the Mardialloae axtd tho poreonnel of Projwt 4.1. They alao rendered an invaluable service aa interpreters. The authors wish also to express their gratitude to the Mardlalloso people, whose understanding of their predicament, together wflth their patience regarding the many cliaical laboratory taste to which they we- subjected and their wllllngnws to be of help, greatly facilitated the collection of subject data. ‘l%e services of John (village magisThe aid of Harold J. Cuolidge and F. Raymond Foaberg of the Pacfflc Science Board aepecta of the present report is most sincerely apprechtetL The authors are, in addition, especially grateful to the following individuals for specific contribution made in either furnishing or aiding in the collection of material: decontamination procedures); the radiological survey taam of Squadron VP-29 (made all original readings of the external radioactive contamination of tbe Rongerik personnel); pensary, Kwajeleia (collected doeime~ readings ead made them available); and ~M/Sgt and cooperation in the collection of factual data concerning the period of fallout at Rongerik).

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CH.IPTER 3 F.1311LY GROUPS: ACTIVITIES, OBSERVATIONS, AND 3.10 List oi ?Jarshallese not Contacted During Interviews . . 4.1 Evacuation of Inhabitants of Rongelap and .+i!ir.ginae .itcli~ 4.3 Decontamination of Clothing and other Personal Possessions of CILAPTEZl 2 PERSONNEL ANT EQUIPMENT ON ENI’7/ET.\K ISLAND

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2.1 Location and Description of Eniwetak Island . . . 2.2 List of Military Personnel Stationed on Eniwetak Island, Rongerik Atoll, 1 and 2 March 1954 ..... 2.3 Duty Assignment of Persomel ...... 3.1 Summary of Interviews and Zvents During Fallout . . 3.1.1 Activities of Persomel ....... 3.1.2 Description of Fallout ....... 3.2 Individual Interviews with Personnel Stationed on Eniwetak 4.3 Location of Film Badges and Lists of Personnel Working in Same General Areaa ........ 5.1 Evacuation of Personnel to Kwajalein .... 5.3 Residual External Contamination of Rongerik Pe ~sonnel 5.1 Measurement of Radioactive Contamination of Rcngelap Natives- . 5.1 Measurement of Radioactive Conta:~.mation of Military Personnel 2.2 Examples of buildings in Rongelap Village ..... 2.4 House partially constructed of lumber ...... 4.1 Decontamination area, Naval Air Station, Kwajalein . . . 4.2 Decontamination area, Naval Air Station, Kwajalein . . . 2.1 Eniwetak Island, Rongerik Atoll, Miushall Islands . . .

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The objectlvea of this study were @: (1) present factual and picmrid da~ describing and illustrating the environmental surroudngs of the inhabitants of Rongelap and Ml ing!nae atolls; (2) supplement data for clinical record ~th information concer~ng family gx~’~0 membership and activities of the .Marshallese during fallouq and (3) supplement phy S1cd dosimetry studies with readings of the external radioactive contamination of the irdmbitants of Rongelap and Ailinginae atolls, inciuding an account of the evacuation and decontamiwOFFICIAL USE ONLY

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ENVIRONMENT on RONGELAP and AI LINGINAE ATOLLS Rongelap Island is located at the southeastern edge of Roagelap Atoll. A sketch of the native village and its location on Rongelap Island are presented on the following page The majority oi the natives’ homes were pole and palm-leaf construction (Figures 2.2 and 2.3). A few houses were partially constructed of lumber (Figure 2.4). The average home had a coral “pebble” ffoor, either bare or covered in part with palm-leaf mats. A few houses had a connecting shed or leaa-to we of roof with facilities for cook- “indoors” during rainy weather (Figure 2.5). Strips of burlap or camvas w?re hung at windows and doorways. There was little screening. Doors and windows were left open most of the time. Several houses had a partially elevated floor or storage Ioft. A few natives had cots; however, most of them slept on palm-leaf .=ats on the floor. sheds, and storage sheds, were usuaIIy shared by one or more fanilies who lived as a group (see also References 1, 3, 5, and 6). Coconuts and starch-foods comprised the bulk of the native diet. m cc lut meat ~wag eaten fresh or dried (copra). Coconut milk served as an important supplement to the scanty water supply during the &y months. Coconut sprouts are edible. Babies are breast-fed by the mother for a short time and then fed the freshly collected sap of the coconut tree (jekaro). When allowed to ferment, jekaro is a potent aIcohollc beverage, The principal starch foods eaten were rice, ta.ro, arrowroot (a potato -Iike edible root), and starch tubes (mokmok, made from arrowroot, is similar to macaroni). (See Reference 7, page 172 for preparation of mokmok. ) TUO root is powdered, then mo~stened, and compressed into cakes or balls, apprommately a foot in diameter. It can be kept indefinitely in this form. Taro is used for making bread and doughnuts. Various sea foods comprise the next most important part of the native diet. Fish tie plentiful and are eaten fresh or dried, raw or cooked. Clams, oysters, crabs, i Maps showing location of Marshall Islands included in References 1-6. 2 The key to Holmes and Narver, Rongelap Map, Misc. 254, contains the dimensions and type construction of each building.

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octopi, and hmgouste (tropical lobster) are also eaten, when obtainable. The Mller clam (Tridacna gigas) in easily obtained and frequently eaten by the naUves. Although the climate seemed ideal for many types of melons and tropical fruits, only pandanas, papayas, and pumpkins were observed on the island. There were no breadfruit or banana trees Wfld bud was mentioned as a food however, it was not identified, because the natives failed ta find specimens when they revisited Rongelap with the survey There were approximately 150 chickens on Rongelap on 26 March. In comparison with various sea foods, chtckens were eaten rather infrequently. Eggs were eaten raw and considered a great delica~. The natives made frequent trips to EniaIo for eggs. This ishand is approximately 5 miles north of Rongelap. It is a nesting place for terns There were 12 swine on Rongelap, i. e., a boar, a sow and ten 6-weeks old pigs. Swine were eaten only on festive occasions. Reference 7 is an excellent stuc& of nutrition in the MsrshaU Isliuxis (see also RefThe main water supply was obtained from eight concrete cisterns. These were 6 to 8 feet square, with galvanized metal sheeting for the catchment areas (Figure 2.2). The cisterns were 4 to 5 feet deep and, during the latter part of .Merch sad April, each contained shout 6 to 10 inches of water. There was one well 2 by 2 feet square and approximately 12 feet deep (Figure 2.7). It contahed about 1S inches of water. For m~ weeks prior to 1 March, the natives had been rationed to on ~ pint cup of water per individual per day. Sump pools were observed in the lower parts of the Isl=d and in old bomb cra@rs. The water in these was apparently -pie for the dogs, chickens, and swine (see Reference 8, page 328; zd Reference 9).

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Figure 2.2 Examples of buildings in Rongelap Village. At left: Cistern xo. 37 on Figure 2.1. At right: Village store (No. 39 on Figure 2.1). Figure 2.3 Interior of dispensary (No. 36 on Figure 2.1) showing details of pole-and-palm-leaf construction. Tires was best constructed building on island. Note canvas window covering and air

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Figure 2.4 House partially constructed of lumber. roof, and m area for preparing meals “ indoors” during rainy weather.

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Figure 2.6 Cookhouse (No. 14 on Figure 2.1). This building had wire screenti.g along two sides. 22 on Figure 2.1). This well was approximately 2N deep. The sides were cased with coral m.ason~.

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and FOODS DURING FALLOUT The nativea of Roagelap Ilved lm group., comprisod of ea. or more famines, constitutlag a patriarchic @t (see Rofereacw 6, Chapters S * 8; 1% aad 11). Each family group usually occupied oae or more buses sad shsred soverml out-buiXdiags. The funily groups ars presented oa the followlag pages. Iaformatioa ccmceraing the locatlon of fsmllies, foods eaten 1-3 Marcht sad descriptloas of ths fallout are iachded. Each native’s same is preceded by the cilalcal number asa~ed by Project 4.1, aad followed by the sex sad age of the ladlvldual. Married couples are iadlcated by brackets. Solid lines indicate direct desceadarlts. Broken llaes indicate adopthaa. Living Area: the Wage magistrate, aad family lived in house No. the school teacher, end family lived in house No. 11. Other funiIies the same general area. and were at Ailinginae 1-3 reef~( island ne= west end o f Rongelap) and returned to Rongelap after sundown. Later went on a picnic and ate only cocon~ts. ?aid coconut meat tasted sour. Food and Drink. Fresh fruit, bread, rice, fresh coconut milk cd meat, S=rch U&es (mokmoK), copra, ;ekaro, water, and coffee. Told to stop drinlkhg water at 1300 (1 }farch), but did not do so. Fzllout. Begs in afternoon of 1 March. The group who went to Jaboan said the ible on their skin and “ like dust in their eyes. ” It caused itchhg and “ felt like mosquitoes were biting. ”

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Li\tiq area. -- and fxn Lly lived in house No. 16. and family lived in lived h houses So. 18 azzd20. house so. 26. lived in ho’lse So. 31. Focal and Drink. Rice, bread, fresh coconut Tea, ‘mid bud, copra. fresn crao. Drw.k water after told them not :0.

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Living Area. lived in house No. 47 (at Ailingmae 1-3 March). , lived in house No. 40. lived in house No. 46. House No. 50 also occupied by a famfly of this group. were at Food and Drink. Rice, bread, crabs, fish. wild bud, copra, coffee, water, jekaro, and coconut milk. Fresh coconut milk and meat were the only things not exposed to Fallout . Begin in afternoon of 1 March. 4’ Looked like table salt. “ Living Area. lived in house No. 51. Iived in house No. 53. Food and Drink. Rice, bread, fresh coconut meat, wild bud. copra, fresh crzb, fresh fish, starch. cooked pumpkin, papaya (peeled), doughnuts, tea, jekaro, and xater. Drank water after told them not to. Living Area. . lived in house NO. 57. wllage doctor, lived aione at the dispensary, Building No. 36. Activities. A few of the events which occurred 1-3 March are briefly summarized in the interview with the village doctor:

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“ I WiMasleep at time of flash” but was awakened in time to hear “ seven echoes” dust . Water turned yel!ow shortly after fallout began. FaUout lasted for about seven -+t ip~~~[: \Iarch) a group of people left Rongelap to fish at Aillagmae. .Ate breakfast and lunch (1 March). Had evening meal at about 2000. This Iat=r meal consisted of rice, co~ee, and dried fish. (Coffee kept in a cu rice m !mg~, f!sh was taken from a outside d@ng rack). ~ Tlesaay (2 Marsh), told people not to &.nk water, but most of them contiauea to do so. left on a destroyer. “ Food and Drink. Bread, rice, copra, cooked fresh ffsh, fresh coconut milk, coffee, Fallout. Started about 1300, 1 Nfcwch. W- like flour. Caused skin irritation md sneezing. Food tasted str~ge. was nauaeated after breakfagt and most of &y Li’.’~g.g.irea. Hccses WI. 59, 60, and 63. %Drmk water ~fter Jabwe told them not to.

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The following individuals were eit&r temporarily living at Ailingtiae to make copra, or had gone there to fish for a few days. Ml had permanent homes on Rongelap. 3.10 LIST OF .MARSHALLESE NOT CONTACTED DURING INTERVIEWS No information was obtained for these indivfduala regardfng family group membership, activities during fallout, foods eaten, etc.

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EVACUATION and DECONTAMINATION EVACUATION OF NIWBITANTS OF RONGSLAP AND AILNGLVAE ATOLLS Sixteen (16) Marshallese were evacuated by plane from Rongelap at 1000, 3 3faxch Fo@-eight (48) Marshal!ese were evacuated tiom Rongelap by destroyer at the same time (H+ 31 hours). The eighteen (18) .Marshallese who were litig on Sifo Island, A1.U@nae .+kil, wers evacuated by &stroyer at H+ 54 hours. The Marshallese were allowed to take with them little more thm the clothia.g they The survey …