A comparison of independently conducted dose assessments to determine compliance and resettlement options for the people of Rongelap Atoll

Journal Article · Tue Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1997 · Health Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1097/00004032-199707000-00011· OSTI ID:543360

Simon, S L; Robison, W L ^[1]; Thorne, M C ^[2]

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1. Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (United States)
2. Electrowatt Engineering Services, Sussex (United Kingdom); and others

Rongelap Island was the home of Marshallese people numbering less than 120 in 1954; 67 were on the island and severely exposed to radioactive fallout from an atomic weapons test in March of that year. Those resident on Rongelap were evacuated 50 h after the test, returned 3 y later, then voluntarily left their home island in 1985 due to their ongoing fear of radiation exposure from residual radioactive contamination. Following international negotiations in 1991, a Memorandum of Understanding (NIOU) was signed in early 1992 between the Republic of the Marshall Islands Government, the Rongelap Atoll Local Government, the U.S. Department of Energy, and the U.S. Department of the Interior. In this MOU it was agreed that the Republic of the Marshall Islands, with the aid of the U.S. Department of Energy, would carry out independent dose assessments for the purpose of assisting and advising the Rongelap community on radiological issues related to a safe resettlement of Rongelap. In 1994, four independent assessments were reported, including one from each of the following entities: Marshall Islands Nationwide Radiological Study; Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory; an independent advisor from the United Kingdom (MCT); and a committee of the National Research Council. All four assessments concluded that possibly more than 25% of the adult population could exceed the 1 mSv y{sup -1} dose level based on strict utilization of a local food diet. The purpose of this report is to summarize the methodology, assumptions, and findings from each of four assessments; to summarize the recommendations related to mitigation and resettlement options; to discuss unique programmatic aspects of the study; and to consider the implications of the findings to the future of the Rongelap people. 63 refs., 5 figs., 3 tabs.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: FG05-92EH89138
• OSTI ID: 543360
• Journal Information: Health Physics, Journal Name: Health Physics Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 73; ISSN HLTPAO; ISSN 0017-9078
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
56 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
APPLIED STUDIES
BACKGROUND RADIATION
CONTAMINATION
FALLOUT
LAND USE
MAN
MARSHALL ISLANDS
PLUTONIUM
RADIATION DOSES
RECOMMENDATIONS