External dose estimates for future Bikini Atoll inhabitants. [Gamma Radiation]

Technical Report · Wed Mar 03 04:00:00 EST 1976

OSTI ID:7361408

Gudiksen, P H; Crites, T R; Robison, W L

To evaluate the potential radiation doses that may be received by the returning Bikinians, we surveyed the residual radioactivity on Bikini and Eneu Islands in June of 1975. An integral part of the survey included measurements of gamma-ray exposure rates which are used to estimate external gamma-ray doses. The survey showed that on Bikini Island the rates are highly variable: values near the shores are generally of the order of 10 to 20 ..mu..R/h, while those within the interior average about 40 ..mu..R/h with a range of roughly 30 to 100 ..mu..R/h. Eneu Island, however, is characterized by more or less uniformly distributed gamma radiation levels of less than 10 ..mu..R/h over the entire island. These data, in conjunction with population statistics and expected life styles, allowed us to estimate the potential external gamma-ray doses associated with proposed housing locations along the lagoon road and within the interior portions of Bikini Island as well as along the lagoon side of Eneu Island. As expected, living on Eneu Island results in the lowest doses: 0.12 rem during the first year and 2.9 rem during 30 years. The highest values, 0.28 rem during the first year and 5.9 rem over 30 years, may potentially be received by inhabitants living within the interior of Bikini Island. Other options under consideration produce intermediate values.

• Research Organization: California Univ., Livermore (USA). Lawrence Livermore Lab.
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 7361408
• Report Number(s): UCRL-51879(Rev.1)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
560151* -- Radiation Effects on Animals-- Man
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
BIKINI
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
DATA
DOSES
DOSIMETRY
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
EXPLOSIONS
GAMMA RADIATION
HUMAN POPULATIONS
INFORMATION
IONIZING RADIATIONS
ISLANDS
MARSHALL ISLANDS
NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS
POPULATIONS
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATIONS