.

410781 The United States conducted 66 atmospheric nuclear weapons tests in the . Twenty-two years later the authorities continue to disagree on when the islands wIII be safe for resettlement.

GIFF JOHNSON

Paradise lost

The U.S. government is now at- at Bikini and Enewetak. Edward ers do not substantiate its clasms. tempting to prove at Enewetak what Mane]]. of the National Center for One of many reports from it couldn’t at Bikini: that it is pos- Atmospheric Research. writing to Enewetak was publicized in an ex- sible for people to return safely Micronesia LegaJ Services, a U.S. clusive television interview. in to an area devastated by nuclear government organization represent- which a mechanic stated that he and weapons. Following completion of a ing the Enewetak people, expressed others had worked without protect- three-year, $1W million nuclear concern over the ive gear underneath dozens of txucks cleanup of in &he returning from the plutonium– Marshall Islands—site of 43 nuclear “highly questionable recom- contaminated islands. He said ‘-the tests-the United States says it is safe mendations regarding acceptable tires and underside of the vehicles for the pcople who were moved out to levels of plutonium in the soils and were usually covered with dust and return to &rtain islands. But while the very doubtful merits ~f pro- din, ” but the workers were given no the cleanup has been hailed in some ceeding with the resettlement of respirators for protection.’ i quarters as a “remarkable success, ” Eneweuk Atoll on the basis of the Press visitors to Enewetak in April controversy is developing over recommendations of a Task Group 1980 noticed similar flaws in Wfense whether or not people should return assembled by the Atomic Energy Nuclear Agency safety standards. to any part of the atoll. Commission and the Depa~ment of “Standing on any part of Runit Is- The M&rshail Islands are part of a Defense. . . . The recommendation land,” said a reporter, “you must U.N. ‘-strategic”” Trust Territory of that plutonium soils, with levels not wear rubber bets and a paper re- the Pac]fic, which has been ad- exceeding 40 pCi of plutonium 240 spirator to prevent breathing ministered by the United States 241 per gram of soil averaged over 15 plutonium particles. But standing on since World War II. The nuclear cm depth. is suitable for human the concrete dome (a mere 15 feet weapons testing program ended in habitation, can be very seriously away) you are not required to wear 1958, after 12 years of 66 atmo- questioned. . . . The resettlement of any protective clothing at all. “’4 spheric tests. such sites is extremely likely to have Runit Island will be quarantined to The Defense Nuclear Agency, tragic consequences. particularly for the Marshallese forever, because of coordinator of the cleanup, has said the younger members of the in- high concentrations of plutonium in it would be impossible to lower atoll habitants. Progressively worse con- the soil. More than 100,000 cubic radiation to pre-test levels. But the sequences are to be expected for yards of radioactive soil and debris cleanup guidelines called for re- each successive generation in the have been encased in a massive ce- sidence islands to be cleaned to a affected population group.”’ ment dome on Runit, to isolate these level of 40 picocunes of plutonium hazardous materials from the envi- 239/240 per gram of soil. agriculture Marten’s questions and recom- ronment for thousands of years. islands to 80 picocuries per gram and m-ons were ignored and the Nevertheless. islands within three food gathering islands to 160. To ac- cleanup itself was plagued by shoddy miles of Runit have been designated complish this, thousands of cubic safety standards. as safe for “picnics and food yards of contaminated soil were The Defense Nuclear Agency gathering. ” This prompted a Mar- scraped off the small islands, mixed maintained that “’the most important shallese observer to comment: \ with cement and encased in a mas- considemtion in the cleanup opem- ““What will happen if birds. crabs. sive concrete dome in an atomic tions was the radiological safety of turtles and other animals that land on bomb cmler at Runit Island. the individuals involved in the oper- the off limits island are eaten by the The basis for the cleanup was ations. ”~ But Agency policies have people?”” strongly questioned in 1974 by a re- been inconsistent. and infon-nation Despite this atmosphere of in- searcher who had been involved in supplied by soldiers involved in the consistent safety measures. many of the 1950s weapons testing program cleanup and by independent report- the 450 Enewetak people have

24 already moved back to the southern The Enewetak people have an in- Brookhaven researchers assess U.S. islands. which the Agency calls tense desire 10 return home, after 33 government data. . . . The history of “relatively uncontaminated.’” years on tiny . And on the U.S. testing progmm was one of Mean% hlle. the Depanment of En- the basis of this information. the repeated mistakes and mis- ergy says the atoll-s northern Enjebi people voted to return to their calculations.”” In his view, “non- islands-where the majority of the island in the north. But the objectiv- government radiation experts”’ 43 nucl~tir tests occurred-should be ity of the study conducted by Bender should be included in all such sur- off iimll~ for at least 30 years. since and Brill, whose base is the veys. s radiation levels are still high there. government-funded Brookhaven A May 1979 General Accounting Because of the Department ruling, National Laboratory, has been Office repofl cautioned that “be- millions of dollars have been spent questioned. Dr. Rosalie Bet-tell, a cause of uncertainty of the long term on buildlng houses and community consultant to the Division of Stan- effects of exposure to low level radi- facilities and on replanting dard Setting for the NLJQlW Regu- ation. it is possible that the people of thousands of coconut trees in the latory Commission, said of the Enewetak could receive doses in ex- southern islands: but no funds have study: cess of current standards. ” It also been used to rehabilitate the north- “‘The population of Eneweti has urged an independent assessment of ern islands. This has caused prob- the right to know that a value judg- Enewetak by “expefis who have no direct connections with the nuclear lems among the Enewetak people as, ment has been made for them, testing program or the Enewetak traditionally. they are divided into namely that induction of cancer is two distinct groups: the Dri-Enjebi in their only concern. They may, if in- cleanup project . . . &fore resettle- the notthem and Dri-Enew’etaL in formed about hypothyroidism, ap ment of the people begins. ”9 This the south. Accustomed to their own Iastic anemia. premature aging. be- repofi was initially withheld from the chiefs and land, the Dn-Enjebi are nign tumors and other such dis- Marshall Islands government for political reasons. reluctant to live on another chiefs orders, make a different judgment. land. . . . Since deporting an independent They ‘reduced” the radiation dose team of Japanese scientists invited In September 1979, the radiologi- of the inhabitants of Enjebi by av- by Marshall Islands leaders to in- vestigate the radiation problems in cal information about Enewetak was eraging in the population less ex- presented by the Department of En- posed. This is like telling one 1971. the United States has stead- ergy to the people. Michael Bender member of a family his or her risk of fastly refused to allow independent and Bertnnd Brill, two scientists lung cancer is lowered if the other monitoring of the Marsh allese hired by Micronesia Legal Services nonsmoking members of the family peopie and their environment. President Lyndon Johnson an- then testified that their study showed are included and an ‘average’ risk all the Islands to be safe for habita- given. It is a scientifically ridiculous nounced in 1%8 that Bikin&site of tion. including nofihem Enjebi is- approach to public health. 23 bomb tests-would be returned to land. The chances of adverse effects Basing a resettlement decision af- its people, who had been living in were so small. they had concluded, fecting the lives of 500 people on the exile since 1946. that ‘‘cancer mortality in the lifetime In 1%9. the Atomic Energy Com- Bender and Brill inadequate health mission Ad: “’[there is] vlfluall> no of the population IS estimated to tx assessment would be extremely im- radiation left on Bikini”’ and ‘“the kss than a single case.”s They as- pruden~.’” sened tia( the Deptiment of En- exposures to radiation of the Bikini ergy overstated the risk: “’DOE tends Glen Alcalay, a former Peace people do not offer a significant to exaggerate the problem,” said Mic- Corps Volunteer in the MarshaJls. threat to their health and safety .“’0 ronesmn Legal service Director Ted said the problem is “‘the inherent A small-scale cleanup and re- Mitchell.~ conflict of interest in having habilitation progtarn was begun and December 1980 The Bulletin of the Atomic !kienttsts 25 Giff Johnson, a free-lamx writer who has traveled extensively throughout the Pacific, edits the Microncsio Bulietm published in Honolulu, Hawaii 96826.

by the early 1970s a few pople hac begun moving back. Many Bikinians tell of Atomic En. ergy Commission scientists taking them to Bikini to demonstrate its safety. When the BiLinians refused to eat arty local foods. fearing tadia- tion exposure. the scientists would consume conconuts, fish and other foods in front of the islanders to convince them. tI In 1972, however, the B}klnians expressed doubts about the safety of their atoll and voted not to return home. But the government was committed to the resettlement and offered Marshal- Iese government employees free . food and housing if they would move t I ‘\. au &. i ...1 =., , to Bihln]. K*, .-&b. .. During an Atomic Energy Com- nfubu.~adhtmbma- ‘. “. ...: : W 1- H ~ua: 114,66 y - —., mission sumey of the more than 100 u bkbkd uOaBd~um: In \, .“.-; [email protected],wowm people iiving on the atoll in 1975, the , “,,- wuW7Wqwcman , “presence of low levels of .,/ : ,“ plutonium”’ in their urine was dis- b’ covered. The Commission, and later the Depa~ment of Energy, did not consider this ““radiologically significant. ‘*I2 By 1977, tests showed an 1l-fold increase in the people’s body burdens ofcesium-137. Rather than remove the population from a hazardous environment, however. the Department of Energy suggested that the Trust Territory government institute a complete feeding pro- gram. !O reduce consumption of local foods. and thus exposure. The Department seemed reluctant to give up what one” Lawrence Liverrrmre Laboratory study called “possibi} the best available source of data for evaluating the transfer of plutonium across the gut wall after being incorporated into biological System s.”’l J The situation de- tcriomted funher and by May 1978. a high percen~ge of the Marshallese body levels were above the maximum permissible dose allowed in the Untted States. The Bikinlans were evacuated again.

26 By May 1978, a high percentage of the Marshallese body levels were above the maximum permissible dose b and the Blkinians were evacuated again. — Conard and representatives of other U.S. government agencies. in apologizing for the complications which occurred, frequently say that (kft)Peopie*09tbe radiation measurement techniques concrete domeCOVtiq u 810MJc bomb enter 0~ Rodt f..dAd,E~ then were not as sophisticated as std. (Mow) .NocJafCfeu ,p Om those available today: that the sur- Ranlt tslmd. (HI) U.S. ArEIY veys of Bikini were far less extensive pemmd imfdt protatiw ~r. than those subsequently tamed out (*M) AJmY Pefwwd Mixtat piototim-fltaodlu(cd 90U wltb ~1 at Enewetak atoll.’6 The facts. how- to form L&-W co~ dome. ever, suggest otherwise. In 1972-1973, the United States Robert Conard of Brookhaven conducted an “exhaustive mdiologi- National Laboratory—which has cal survey of Eneweta.k. ” which in- coordinated the Marshall Islands cluded both ground and aerial sur- medical program since 1954- veys of the islands. according to the estimated the health risks of the ex- Depanment of Energy. It was not posure: done at Bikini. however. In fact, it wasn’t until the Bikinians filed a fed- “Assuming that they [1;3 people] eral law suit in 1975, asking for a S had all been there since 1970 and re- thorough radiological sutwey of Bi- ceived the average estimated inte- kini and the northern Marshall Is- grated total dose of 2.6 reins for the lands, that the government agreed to period, based on known radiation- do it. But because of three years of induced risk data, one would expect bureaucratic infighting among the only about 0.005 total cases of Departments of Energy. State and leukemia to develop in that popula- Interior, the radiological survey was tion as a result of their tadiation ex- not conducted untiI after the evacu- posure. ation of Bikini in late 1978. The need for further medical The United States did have examinations is not indicated based sophisticated techniques for on possible radiation effects as- measuring radiation at the outset of sociated with such low doses. ”l’ the Bikini resettlement; it chose to employ them only at Enewetak. But Dr. Konrad Kotrady, a former U.S. policies with respect to pro- Brookhaven resident physician in tecting the health of the Marshallese the MarshalIs. strongly disagreed have been totally inconsistent. For with this philosophy: example. in 1946. prior to the first nuclear test series, Operation Cross- “The people fail to understand roads. the people from islands within how scientists can say they do not a radius of 300 miles of Bikini— know all the possible late effects the including the Rongelap—were radiation can cause . . . and then tell evacuated as a safety precaution. ” the people a medical progmm is un- The yield of these bombs was ap- necessary. proximately 20 kilotons. But in 1954, If in 40 or 50 years medicaI prob- there was no official warning of the lems do occur as a result of the ex- Bravo test. much less an evacuation posure. it would be better if a well of the populations. Yet Bmvo was designed medical progsam was the largest U.S. hydrogen bomb already in progress to detect the tested—more than 15 megatons. problems. ” 1~ More than 200 Marshailese on

December 1980 The Bulie[m of the Atomic Scientists 27 The fact that in the Marshall Islands thyroid cancer is more prevalent in people exposed to lower than to higher levels fl of radiation is not wi~ely known in the United States.

nearby Rongelap and Utink atolls, cancer is actually more prevalent in had three ‘strange’ still born babies. were severely contaminated with the people who received low level one ‘completely unrecognizable as , ash-like fallout. exposure than in the high level human.’ Also reponed among For many years people have de- group,?’ women on Likiep were ten other bated uhe(her or not the Marshal- A questionable decision by the babies that were not normal. a quite lese were deliberately exposed. The Atomic Energy Commission allowed high percentage of the popula- official position is that upper level the Utink people to return to their tion. ””z4 winds changed suddenly after the atoll within six months of the Bravo blast. depositing fallout on the in- test in 1954 and the Rongelap people No medical progmm exists for the habited islands. Admiral Lewis after three years. Little radiological people from these islands. but the Strauss of the Atomic Energy Com- cleanup was done on either atoll, but list of miscarriages, deformed mission. at a press conference on his both were declared safe despite babies. cancers, thyroid nodules and return from Bikini in 1954, said of “slight lingering radiation. ”zz environmental problems from sup- Bravo ““. . . at no time was the test- Some 20 years later, the Depart- posedly unexposed atolls is steadily ing out of control. ” He added. ““No ment of Energy has decided the is- growing. Because Brookhaven does test is made without a definite pur- lands were not safe. Shortly after the not examine people from these other pose and a careful determination that nonhero Marshalls radiological sur- islands, the government has been is directed [o an end result of major vey was finished. Depatlptem of En- able to deny that any health prob- importance. . . . “1’ ergy scientists went to Rongelap in lems exist on the grounds that there t Ne\er~heless. within hours of early 1979 and told the people that are no data. t their exposure (at Rongelap. 175 the northern islands in their atoll. Even on Utirik and Rongelap, reins. and at Utirik. 14 reins) the which for the past 20 years they have Brookhaven has taken an extremely people began to suffer from nausea used for food gathering, were too narrow view of the problems, ac- and se~ere itching of the skin: skin radioactive to visit. Moreover, the cording to Kotrady. In his 1977 cn- * bums and loss of hair occurred in the Department of Energy surwey shows tique he said: folloulng weeks. Since then. 19 out that islands in Rongelap-otdy 125 of 22 children exposed on Rongelap miles from Bikini—have radiation ‘*The original purpose of the pro- have had surgery for removal of. levels at least equal to, and in some gram was to be as broad as possible thyroid nodules. In 1972 a youth. cases higher than. an island at Bikini. to discover all possible effects. . . . barely a year old at the time of his Since the 1954 Bravo incident. the C)ver the years. however, data from exposure in 1954. died of myelogen- United States has stated unequivo- various sources and opinions of ex- ous leukemia. A 1977 report by cally that only the atolls of Bikini, perts have assessed what long term Brookhaven states: ‘.Recently about Enewetak, Rongelap and Utirik were effects should be found in the 5(YZof the exposed Rongelap people contaminated during the weapons people. Thus the progmm seems to showed hypothyroidism without tests. But in 1978, the Depanment of opetate in a mode of looking for clinical evidence of thyroid disease. Energy suddendly reversed itself those effects predicted by expens. a finding that probabiy portends and reported: “In addition to . . . It tends to focus on specific trouble ahead .”ly Enewetak. Bikini and Rongeiap areas, such as the thyroid and blood, Atolls, there are eleven other atolls where the scientists expect effects to ‘“For twenty two years. the people or single islands that received inter- occur. ”~s [of Utirii.] have heard Dr. Conard mediate range fallout from one or and other doctors tell them not to more of the megaton range tests. ”“23 Much of the information con- “ , wo~, that the dose of radiation re- One of these atolls in the northern ceming low level radiation in the ceived at the island was too low to Marshnlls is Likiep. According to a Marshalls is relevant to the United cause any harmful effects. careful repofl in the Micronesia in- States, in view of the uncertainty However. i[ has become apparent dependent, June 6, 1980: sumounding Three Mile Island, mil- t that the theory was wrong. . . . itary personnel exposed to nuclear There IS as much thyroid cancer at “’Out of 406 people who live in tests. and so fomh. The fact that in Utirik as at Rongelap. ”2° Likiep. there are documented re- the Marshal]s thyroid cancer is more ports that list nine women who have prevalent in people exposed to lower A 1976 Brookhaven annual report given birth to babies with severe than to higher levels of radiation is confirmed the finding that thyroid mental retardation. one woman who not widely known in the United

28 ., .

It is an irony of history that the U.N. Trust Agreement binds the United States both to ‘protect the health of the inhabitants’ and ‘protect the inhabitants against the loss of their land or resources.’

States. Similarly, exposure through s. “Enewetak Islanders F’an Return, ” concentration of radiation in the Honolulu Star Bulteun. Sept. 26.1979. Now available - & “Problems Unresolved on Enewetak THE BULLETIN food chain is not well understood, DIRECT FROM Atoll.”” Honolulu Star Bulletin. March 26. Tho Paper8 yet this appears to have been a major 1980. of tho Worfdwdch Irtstttuto 7. Rosalie Berrell to U.S. Congressman contributor to the alarming rate of The Institute is an independent, problems at Rongelap. Utirik and Sidney Yates. June 6.1960. 8. Glenn H. Alcalay to Congressman Sid- non-profit research organization other islands. At Bikini it was the ney Yates. June 24. 1980. created to analyze and to focus “ reason for evacuating the people in 9. GeneraJ Accounting Office. “’Enewetak attention on world problems. 1978. und who can guarantee the fu- AtolkClcanmg Up Nuckar Contarnmauon, ” ?SAD79-54 (May 8. 1979). 1 Nuclear PoweG Tho Fti ture of che Enewetak people? 10. Atomic Energy Commission. ‘“Reporf Horseman by knis fiayes, &haiIs Moreover, in October 1980 the of Ad Hoc Commlllee to Evaluate the the Issues to be facad H we Imcrease Depzwrnent of Energy stated that it is RadIolopcal Haxards of Resettlement of Bi- our use of nuclear power: environ- mental impact, avsdlatwhtyof urarssunt. now safe for the Bikinkts to return kim Atoll’” (1%91. 11. Ralph Waltz [o Giff John@n, . economme, safety, proliferation and to a certain island in . It Marshall Islands, June 1979. terrorisrrt. 64 pages . was claimed that the people will not 12. Robefi A. Conard. ““ThekiCttiiO@St 2 Energy: Tfso csso for Con- receive doses above the federal radia- Status of the Bikim Peorde: A Summary Re- servation by Dams Hayes. Remffs tion standards if they import 50 per- port”. (Upton. N. Y.: Brookhaven Nattorud ttmt more than half the energy the U.S. Llbonstow, Sept. 20. 1978). ccrnsumea is wasted. Commmtm m cent of their food and spend no more 13. Lawrence Llvermore Laboratory, cetiin ●reas could rne& our energy than 10 percent of their time on “Dose Assessmen! at Blki@ Atoll.”” ucRL- needs for the next 25 years. 77 pages Bikini Island, approximately six miles 51879 (June 8. 1977) pt. 5 “’Biklnt Islanders Want to Stay There.’” Washngton Post. Aprd 3 Repairs Reuse Recycli~mt away. 3.1980. Steps Toward s Sustainable So- It is an irony of history that the 14. Conard, “Radiological Status.”” CiOt’y by Dents Hayes. h light of pobtfi .United Nations Trust Agreement ;5. Konrad P. Kotrady. “The Brookhaven Cal, energy and environmental con- , Medical Prosrsrn to Ck[ect RadialIon Effects straints on our future use of wrgm binds the United States both to in MarshalJc se Peopie. A Com@rison of ihe materials, racychng must be-ome a “protect the health of the in- People’s vs. the Program’s Attmtdes’” (Jan. 1. central organizing princlpb m mdua- habitants”’ and “’protect the in- 1977), unpublished but available from Mic- trial societtes. 46 pages. rorresla Support Committee. 1212 University 4 Inttation: me Rising Cost of habitants against the loss of their Ave.. Honolulu. HI 96826. Robert 16. Conard. ““Radiological Status.”” Uving on 8 Small Pt8net by land or resources. ”’zb Fuller. The author views inflatlon es a 17. John Anjmn. Maglstmte of Rongeiap W’iIh medical examinations and symptom of a growing imbalan~ be- Atoll 195&65 to Giff Johnson. Ebcyc. Mar- tween soaring human demands and environmental surveys by doctors shall Islands. July 1979. the physical raeourwe to satisfy them. and scientists independent of the 18. LCWIS Smsuss. taped press conference. He SUggeStS steps govenwneftt and tn- 1954 (Washington. D. C.: NauonaJ Archwcs, U.S. government, combined with a dwiduals can take to deal with me 1954), sources of rising prices. 48 pages. thorough education program on 19. ROhII A. C& SIUJ o(fum. “sum. radiation. at least the diagnosis and msry of Thvrold Findings in MarshaJlese 22 S Food or Fuef: New Competition treatment of the Marshallese will Years after Exposure to Radioactlvc Fall- fOr the Wortd’s Cropland by &?sIer out.”’ No. 21924 (Upton. N.Y. Brookhaven impro~e. But unless the independent Brown. DIscussee the technology and National IAwaIory. 1976). economics of agnculturSJ1y based scientific community-in the United 20. Kotrady,’’ Brookhaven Medical pro- alcohol fuel. Initiatives to mcreeae its Sta~es becomes more involved in the gmm. ” production and uw may drive prices 21. Philsdelphui Inquirer. “Who Knows health problems on these islands. it upward so that the price of 011may How Long They’ll Take To Show. ” April 20. soon determwre the price of food. is Iihel} that [he inhabitants will 1979. 43 pages. serve primarily as a source for U.S. 22. Conard and others. “’A Twenty Year Review of MedlcaJ Findings in a Marshallese b government research into the effects Population Accidentally Exposed to Radmac- Each paper-S2.00 postage Pskf. of radiation on human populations.0 tive FalJout” (Upton, NY.: Brookhaven Na- Outside U.S. and Canade-S4.oO tional bborato~. 1975). each. 23. U.S. fkpartmcn[ of Energy. “North- Please write for multiple COpypricas for 1. Edward ~anell to Thtodore Mitchell ern Marshall Islands Aend Radation Sumey. any one title and for complete list of 32 (Mlcroncs~an Legal Servtcc Corporation) September to November 1978. ” avadable Mles. . . . Dec. 9. 1974 24. Microneslan Independent. “The 25.IXfO 2. Dricnsc Nuclear Agency. ‘“Fact Year Question.”” June 6, 1980. Ord.r From: ““ - Sheet—Encwc!ak Operallon” (Washmgtori. 2S. Kotrady. ““Brookhaven Medical %- THE BULLETIN D. C.. ONA. April 1980). gram. ” of the Atomk Scientists 3. KHON T\’-2, mtemlcw with fbsl Udell. 26. United Nations. ““Tmsleesfr@-e- 1020-24East 56th Street Honolu)u. ,March ]980. rnent for the Trust Temtory of the Pacific is- Chicago, Illinois &3&37 4. Floyd Takcuchl, pacific and Asian Af- lands (New York: U.N. Trusteeship Council. .. fairs Semmar. Honolulu, Jurre 18, 1980. 1947).

December 1980 The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists 29 . .

The United States conducted 66 atmospheric nuclear weapons tests in the Marshall Islands. Twenty=two years later the authorities continue to disagree on when the islands will be safe for resettlement.

GIFF JOHNSOS

Paradise lost

The U.S. government is now at- at Bikini and Enewetak. Edward ers do not substantiate its clzums. tempting to prove at Enewctak what Marten. of the Nationai Center for One of many reports from it couldn’t at Bikini: that it is pos- Atmospheric Research. writing to Enewetak was publicized In an ex- sible for IMOplC to return safely Micronesia Legal Set+Ces, a U.S. clusive television interview, in to an area devastated by nuclear government organization represent- which a mechanic staied that he and weapons, Following completion of a ing the Enewetak people, expressed others had worked without protect- three-year, $100 million nuclear concern over the ive gear underneath dozens of trucks cleanup of Enewetak Atoll in the returning from the plutonium– Marshall Islands—site of 43 nuclear “highly questionable recom- contaminated islands. He said “the tests-the United States says it is safe mendations regarding acceptable tires and underside of the vehicles for the people who were moved out to levels of plutonium in the soils and were usually covered with dust and return to certain islands. But while the very doubtful merits ef pro- dirt,” but the workers were given no the cleanup has been hailed in some ceeding with the resettlement of respirators for protection.’ n quarters as a “remarkable success, ” Enewetak Atoll on the basis of the Press visitom to Enewemk in April controversy is developing over recommendations of a Task Group 1980 noticed similar flaws in Defense whether or not people should return assembled by the Atomic Energy Nuclear Agency safety standards. to any part of the atoll. Commission and the Depanment of “Standing on any part of Runit Is- The Marshal] Islands are pan of a Defense. . . . The recommendation land,” said a reporter, “you must U.N. “strategic’” Trust Territory of that plutonium soils, with levels not wear rubber boots and a paper re- the Pacific. which has been ad- exceeding 40 pCi of plutonium 240/ spirator to prevent breathing ministered by the United States 24 I per gram of soil averaged over 15 plutonium particles. But standing on since World War II. The nuclear cm depth, is suitable for human the concrete dome (a mere 15 feet weapons testing program ended in habitation, can be very seriously away) you are not required to wear 1958, after 12 years of 66 atmo- questioned. . . . The resettlement of any protective clothing at all. ““’ spheric tests. such sites is extremely likely to have Runit Island will be quimmtined to The Defense Nuclear Agency, tragic consequences. particularly for the Marshallese forever, because of coordinator of the cleanup. has said the younger members of the in- high concentrations of plutonium in it would be impossible to lower atoll habitants. Progressively worse con- the soil. More than 100,000 cubic radiation 10 pre-test levels. But [he sequences are to be expected for yards of radioactive soil and debris cleanup guidelines called for re- each successive genemtion in the have been encased in a massive ce- sidence islands to be clkaned to a tiected population group. ‘“’ ment dome on Runit, to isolate these level of 40 pic~uries of plutonium hazardous materials from the envi- 239/240 per gram of soil, agriculture Martell”s questions and recom- ronment for thousands of years. islands 1080 plcocunes pergtam and mendations were ignored and the Nevertheless. islands within three food gathering islands to 160. To ac- cleanup itself was plagued by shoddy miles of Runit have been designated complish this, thousands of cubic safety standards. as safe for “picnics and food yards of contaminated soil were The Defense Nuclear Agency gathering. ” This prompted a Mar- scraped off the small islands, mixed maintained that ‘“the most important shallese observer to comment: with cement and encased in a mas- considemtion in the cleanup opera- “What will happen if birds, cmbs. sive concrete dome in an atomic tions was the radiological safety of turtles and other animals that land on bomb ctater at Runit Island. the individuals involved in the oper- the off limits island arc eaten by the The basis for the cleanup was ations. ”~ But Agency policies have people?’” strongly questioned in 1974 by a re- been inconsistent. and information Despite this atmosphere of in- searcher who had been involved in supplied by soldiers involved in the consistent safety measures. many of the 1950s wea~ns testing progmm cleanup and by independent report- the 450 E“newetak people have

24 already moved back to the southern The Enewetak people have an in- Brookhaven researchers assess U.S. islands. which the Agency calls tense desire to return home, after 33 government data. . . . The history of “relatively uncontaminated. ” years on tiny Ujelang Atoll. And on the U.S. testing progmm was one of Meanwhile. the Depanment of En- the basis of this information, the repeated mistakes and mis- ergy says the atoll’s northern Enjebi people voted to return to their calculations.”” In his view’, “’non- island+ where the majority of the island in the notlh. But the objectiv- government radiation experts”. 43 nuclear tests occurred-should be ity of the study conducted by Bender should be included in all such sur- off limlis for at least 30 years. since and Brill, whose base is the veys.8 tadiation levels are still high there. government-funded Brookhaven A May 1979 General Accounting Because of the Depanment ruling, National Laboratory, has been Office report cautioned that “be- millions of dollars have &en spent questioned. Dr. Rosalie Benell. a cause of uncertainty of the long term on buiidmg houses and community consultant to the Division of Stan- effects of exposure to low level radi- facilities and on replanting dard Setting for the Nuclear Regu- ation. it is possible that the people of thousands of coconut trees in the latory Commission, said of the Enewetak could receive doses in ex- southern islands: but no funds have study: cess of current standards.”” It also been used to rehabilitate the north- “The population of Enewetak has urged an independent assessment of ern islands. This has caused prob- Enewetak by ‘“experts who have no the right to know that a value judg- lems among the Enewetak people as, ment has been made for them, direct connections with the nuclear traditionally. they are divided into namely that induction of cancer is testing program or the Enewetak two distinct groups: the Dri-Enjebi in their only concern. They may, if in- cleanup project . . . before resettle- the nonhero and Dri-Enen’eraA in formed about hypothyroidism. ap- ment of the people begins. ”‘q This the south. Accustomed to their own Iastic anemia, premature aging, be- report was initially withheld from the chiefs and land. the Dri-Enjebi are nign tumors and other such dis- Marshall Islands government for reluctant to live on artother chiefs orders, make a different judgment. political reasons. land. . . . Since deporting an independent They ‘reduced’ the radiation dose team of Japanese scientists invited In September 1979, the mdiologi- of the inhabitants of Enjebi by av- by Marshall Islands leaders to in- cal information about Enewetak was eraging in t!!e population less ex- vestigate the mdiation problems in presented by the Depanment of En- posed. This is like telling one 1971, the United States has stead- ergy to the people. Michael Bender member of a family his or her risk of fastly refused to allow independent and Bertrand Brill, two scientists lung cancer is lowered if the other monitoring of the Marsh allese hired by Micronesia I&al Services nonsmoking members of the family people and their environment. then testified that their study showed President Lyndon Johnson an- are included and art “average’ risk all the islands to be safe for habita- given. It is a scientifically ridiculous nounced in I%8 that Bikin+site of tion. including nonhero Enjebi Is- approach to public health. 23 bomb tests-would be returned to land. The chances of adverse effects Basing a resettlement decision af- its people. who had been living in were so smal, they had concluded, fecting the lives of !$00people on the exile since 1946. that “cancer mon,ality in the lifetime Bender and Brill inadequate health In 1%9, the Atomic Energy Com- of the population is estimated to be assessment would be extremely im- mission said: “’[there is] virtually no less than a single case. ”5 They as- pudent.’” radiation left on Bikini’” and ““the serted that the Department of En- exposures to radiation of the Bikini e~ overstated the risk: “OOE tends Glen Alcalay, a former Peace people do not offer a significant to exaggerate tie problem,” said Mic- Corps Volunteer in the MarshalIs. threat to their health and safel} .’”’0 ronesmrt Lqal Wmice Director Ted said the problem is “the inherent A small-scale cleanup and re- Mitchell.e conflict of interest in having habilitation progmrn was begun and

December 1980 The Bulletin of the A[omic Scientists 25 .-..-, l!- ~ 9 ,.?~

Giff Johnson, a free-lance writer who has traveled extensively >. . throughout the PacI!ic, edits the Micromwa BuIielm (I?<. published in Honolulu, Hawaii 96826. by the early 1970s a few &ople had begun moving back. Many Bikinians tell of Atomic En- ergy Commission scientists taking them to Bikini to demonstrate its safety. When the Biklnians refused to eat any local foods. fearing radia- tion exposure. the scientists would consume conconuts. fish and other foods In front of the islanders to convince them.’ 1 In 1972, however, &:$-”---- the Bikinians expressed doubts f’ ...... --- z.yd-<~ TRUST TERRITORY OF THE about the safety of their atoll and Q PAcIFIc IsLANDs ,.d; 2..- ““ voted not to return home, But the ,6 (2.14115hdsI ~ . * . “=+ government was committed to the :MAAtitH.> “. I resettlement and offered Marshal- : Pqnllwnl: 24.24 , lese government employees free \“” :Afu: 69.64 41A4J’C* . ‘ti # : food and housing if they would move \ I ‘>. - -. t to Bih:ni. Durtng an Atomic Energy Com- mission sun’ey of the more than 100 “, f people living on the atoll in 1975, the [email protected],oiRl@qaR* , .,- “presence of low levels of t4m4m7aqm 9am ; ,./’ ~-,,” plutonium’” in their urine was dis- covered. The Commission, and later the Department of Energy, did not consider this “radiologically significant. ” 12By 1977, tests showed an 1l-fold increase in the people’s body burdens ofcesium-137. Rather than remove the population from a hazardous environment, however. the Department of Energy suggested that the Trust Territo~ government institute a complete feedtng pro- gram. to reduce consumption of local foods. and thus exposure. The Department seemed reluctant to give up what one- Lawrence Livermore Laboratory study called ‘“~ssibly the best available source of data for evaluating the tmnsfer of plutonium across the gut wall after being incorporated into biological SyStems. ”’lj The situation de- tenomed fuflher and by May 1978, a high percentage of the Marshallese body levels were above the maximum permissible dose allowed in the United States, The Bikinians were evacuated again.

26 By May 1978, a high percentage of the Marshallese body levels were above the maximum permissible dose t . and the Blkinians were evacuated again. — tinard and representatives of other U.S. government agencies. in apologizing for the complications which occurred, frequently say that (left) Peq+k waJkJoc00 the radiation measurement techniques mocmte doroe ccwcdog u atomic bomb enter oa RnaIt blood, E~ then were not as sophisticated as Btoit. (below) Nocku * ●? 09 those available today; that the sur- Rmlt tslomd. (left) U.S. Army veys of Bikini were far less extensive petwooel h Ml projective gar. (R@) Army Pen4mod rnixhe than those subsequently carried out piotoohmetorlhoted sod With Cemeot at Enewetak atoll. ‘b The facts. how- to form lbe-Ye coocretedome. ever. suggest otherwise. In 1972-!973, the United States Robert Conard of Brookhaven conducted an “exhaustive radiologi- National Laboratory—which has cal survey of Enewetak,’” which in- coordinated the Marshall islands cluded both ground and aerial sur- medical program since 1954- veys of the islands. according to the estimated the health risks of the ex- ~partment of Energy. It w= not posure: done at Bikini. however. In fact, it wasn’t until the Bikinians filed a fed- ‘“Assuming that they [1:3 people] eral law suit in 1975, asking for a I had all been there since 1970 and re- thorough radiological survey of Bi- ceived the ave~e estimated inte- kini and the nonhero Marshall Is- grated total dose of 2.6 reins for the lands, that the government agreed to period, based on known radiation- do it. But because of three years of induced risk data, one would expect bureaucratic infighting among the only about 0.005 total c=es of Departments of Energy. State and leukemia to develop in that popula- Interior, the radiological survey was tion as a result of their tadiation ex- not conducted until a~rer the evacu- posure. ation of Bikini in late 1978. The need for further medical The United States did have examinations is not indicated based sophisticated techniques for on possible radiation effects as- measuring tadiation at the outset of sociated with such low doses.’’” the Bikini resettlement: it chose to employ them only at Enewetak. But Dr. Konrad Kotmdy, a former U.S. policies with respect to pro- Brookhaven resident physician in tecting the health of the Marshallese the MarshalIs, strongly disagreed have been totally inconsistent. For with this philosophy: example, in 1946. prior to the first nuclear test series. Operation Cross- “The people fail to understand roads. the people from islands within how scientists can say they do not a radius of 300 miles of Bikini— know all the possible late effects the including the Rongelap—were radiation can cause . . . and then tell evacuated as a safety precaution.’7 the ~ople a medical program is un- The yield of these bombs was ap- necessary. proximately 20 kilotons. But in 1954, If in 40 or 50 years medical prob- there was no official warning of the lems do occur as a result of the ex- Btavo test, much less an evacuation posure, it would be better if a well of the populations. Yet BIZIVOwas designed medical progmm was the largest U.S. hydrogen bomb already in progress to detect the tested—more than 15 megatons. problems.”’s More than 200 Marshallese on

December 1980 The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists 27 .— ———

The fact that in the Marshall Islands thyroid cancer is more prevalent in ~eople exposed to iower than to higher levels of radiation is not Wideiy known In the United States.

nearby Rongelap and U(ink atolls, cancer is actually more prevalent in had three ‘strange’ stiU born babies. were severely contaminated with the people who received low level one ‘completely unrecognizable as ash-like fallout. exposure than in the high level human.’ Also reported among For many years people have de- group. ~’ women on Likiep were ten other bated whether or nol the Marshal- A questionable decision by the babies that were not normal, a quite lese were deliberately exposed. The Atomic Energy Commission allowed high ~rcentage of the popula- official position is that upper level the Utirik people to return to their tion. ””z. winds changed suddenly after the atoll within six months of the Btavo blast. depositing fallout on the in- test in 1954 and the Rongelap people No medical program exists for the habited islands. Admiral Lewis after three years. Little radiological people from these islands, but the Strauss of the Atomic Energy Com- cieanup was done on either atoll, but iist of miscarriages, deformed mission. at a press conference on his both were declared safe despite babies. cancers, thyroid noduies and return from Bikini in 1954, said of ‘slight lingering tadiation.’o Z2 environmental problems from sup- Bmvo “. . . at no time was the test- Some 20 years later. the Depart- posedly unexposed atolls is steadily ing out of control.’” He added. ‘.No ment of Energy has decided the is- growing. Because Brookhaven does test is made without a definite pur- lands were not safe. Shortly after the not examine people from these other pose and a careful determination that northern Marshalls radiological sur- islands, the government has been is directed to an end result of major vey was finished. Departlnent of En- able to deny that any health prob- imponance. . . . ‘“t ergy scientists went to Rongelap in lems exist on the grounds that there Nevertheless. within hours of early i979 and told the people that are no data. their exposure (at Rongelap, 175 the northern isiands in their atoil, Even on Utirik and Rongeiap, reins. and at Utirik. 14 reins) the which for the past 20 years they have Brookhaven has taken an extremeiy people began to suffer from nausea used for food gathering, were too narrow view of the probiems. ac- and sekere itching of the skin: skin radioactive to visit. Moreover, the cording to Kotrady. In his 1977 cri- bums and loss of hair occurred in the Department of Energy survey shows tique he said: following weeks. Since then. 19 out that islands in Rongel~nly 125 of 22 children exposed on Rongelap miles from Bikini—have radiation ●*The original purpose of the pro- have had surgery for removal of. ievels at least equal to, and in some gram was to be as broad as possible thyroid nodules. In 1972 a youth. cases higher than, an island at Bikini. to discover all possibie effects. . . . barely a year old at the time of his Since the 1954 Bravo incident, the over the years. however, data from exposure in 1954. died of myelogen- United States has stated unequivo- various sources and opinions of ex- ous leukemia. A 1977 report by cally that only the atolls of Bikini, perts have assessed what long term Brookhaven states: “Recently about Enewetak, Rongelap and Utirik were effects should be found in the SO%of the exposed Rongelap people contaminated during the weapons people. Thus the program seems to showed hypothyroidism without tests. But in 1978. the Depafiment of opemte in a mode of looking for clinical evidence of thyroid disease, Energy suddendly reversed itself those effects predicted by experts. a finding that probably portends and reported: “In addition to . . . It tends to focus on specific trouble ahead .’’l$’ Enewetak. Bikini and Rongeiap areas, such as the thyroid and biood. Atolls, there are eleven other atoils where the scientists expect effects to ‘“For twenty two years. the people or single islands that received inter- occur. ”’~s [of Utirik] have heard Dr. Conard mediate range fallout from one or and other doctors tell them not to more of the megaton range tests..’~’ Much of the information con- wow. that the dose of radiation re- One of these atolls in the northern cerning low level radiation in the ceived at the island was too low to Marshaiis is Likiep. According to a Marshalls is reievant to the United cause any harmful effects. careful report in the Micronesia ln- States, in view of the uncertainty However. it has become apparent dependen(, June 6, 1980: surrounding Three Mile Island, mil- that the theory was wrong. . . . itary personnel exposed to nuclear There ts as much thyroid cancer at “Out of 406 people who live in tests. and so fonh, The fact that In Utirik as at Rongelap. ”2° Likiep. there are documented re- the Marshalls thyroid cancer is more ports that list nine women who have prevalent in people exposed to iower A 1976 Brookhaven annual report given birth to babies with severe than to higher levels of radiation is confirmed the finding that thyroid mentai retardation. one woman who not widely known in the United

28 . . . . .

It is an irony of history that the U.N. Trust Agreement binds the United States both to ‘protect the heaith of the inhabitants’ and ‘protect I the inhabitants against the loss of their land or resources.’

States. Similarly, exposure through s. ‘“Enewctak Islanders Plan Return. ” concentration of radiation in the Honolulu Star Butlctm. Sept. 26, 1979. Now available 6. ““problems Unresolved on Enewetak food chain is not well understood, DIRECT FROM THE BULLETIN Atoll .“” Honolulu SW Bullelin. March 26. no Pllpors yet this appears to have been a major 1980. Of tho Wor$dwatch fnstltuto contributor to the alarming t-me of 7. Rosalie Bertell to U.S. Congressman The Institute is an indepwdmt, problems at Rongelap. Utirik and Sldncy Yates. June 6, 1980. 8. Glenn H. Alcalay to Congressman Sid- non-profit research organization ‘ other islands. At Bikini it was the ney Yates. June 24, 1980 created to analyze and to focus “ reason for evacuating the people in 9. Gencrd Accounting Oflice. ‘”Encwemk attention on world protiems. 1978. and who can guarantee the fu- Atoli--Chrrmg Up Nuckar Contaminauon,”’ PSAD 79-54 (!day 8. 1979). 1 Nuclear Power: The Pifttr ture of ihe Enewetak people? 10. Atomic Energy Commission. ‘“Report Horseman cryDersisHayes, tktsils Moreover, in October 1980 the of Ad Hoc Committee to E~aluate the the issues to be faced if we Increase Department of Energy stated that it is R.dIOIOSSCd H-ds of tte~ttlerncnt of Bi- our use of nuclear power: ●rwifon- km Atoll” (1%9). mental impact. wailsbihty of twarwum, now safe for the Bikinians to return economics, safety. proliferation end 11. Ralph WaJU to Giff Johnson, Majuro. . . to a certain island in Bikini Atoll. It ManhaJl Islands, June 1979. terrorism. r34 pages. . was claimed that the people will not 12. Roben A. cod. “Ttsc kldCSIO@Cd 2 Energy: Tho e- for* receive doses above the federal radia- .WSIUS of the Blkmi Peopk: A Summary Re- nW8tiOtl by Oems Hayes. Reports tion standards if they import 50 per- fmn” ( Upton. N. Y.: Brookhaven NatIonaJ mat more than half the energy the U.S. bbo17NOry, Sept.20. 19781. conaumee re wasted. ~ m cent of their food and spend no more 13. Lawrence Llvermore Laboratory, cemsm arus could nseut our energy than 10 percent of their time on “DOW Assessment at Bikini Atoll.’” UCRL- needs for h nerct 2S years. ~ pages Bikini Island, approximately six miles 51879 (June 8. 1977t pt. 5 ‘“Bikm/ Islanders G Want 10 Stay There.’” Washmgson Post. April 3 Repairs Reuse Recycli~rst away. 3, 1980. Steps Toward ● Sustainable So- It is an irony of history that the 14. Coned. ““tladmlogicst Status.”” ciety by Dams Hayes. In light of pollts- United Nations Trust Agreement 15. Konrad P. Komcty, ‘The Brookhavcn cal, energy and environmental con- , Medical Progmm to Detect Radianon Effects straints on our tuture use of wrgin binds the United States both to in MarshalJese Peopic. A Comparison of the materials, recycling must become a “’protect the health of the in- People’s vs. the Progtam’s Attitudes” (Jan. 1, txrntral organizing pnnclpks m mdua- trial eocietles. 48 pages. habitants’” and ‘“protect the in- 1977), unpublished but available from Mic- ronesia Support Commntee. 1212 University 4 Inflation: Ttto Rising Cost of habitants against the loss of their Ave.. Honolulu. HI 96826, Living on ● small Pf8not by Robert 16. Conard. ““Radiological Status. “’ land or resources. ””zb Fuller. Tha author views inflatlon se a 17. John AnJ~n. Magistrate of Rongelap With medical examinations and symptom of a growing imbaJance be Atoll 195@65 to Giff Johnson, Ebcyc. Mar- tween soaring human demands and environmental surveys by doctors shall Islands. July 1979. the physical resources to W@ them. and scientists independent of the 18. Lewis Strauss. taped press conference. He suggests steps government and m- U.S. government. combined with a [954 (Washington. D. C.: NatsorraJ Archives. t954). individualscats take to deai wnfr the sources of rising prims. 48 pages. thorough education program on 19. Roben A. Conard and others. ‘“Sum- radiation, at least the diagnosis and mary of Thvroid Flndmgs In Marshatlese 22 5 Food or Fuel: New Competition treatment of the Marshallese will Years after Exposure to Radioactive Fall- for the World’s Cropland w Lester out.”’ No. 21924 (Upton. N.Y. Brookhaven improke. But unless the independent Brown. DISCUSMI$ the technology and NationaJ Laboratow. 1976). economcs of agriculturally baaed scientific community-in the United 20. Kotrady,”” Brookhaven MedicaJ Pro- alcohol fuel. Initiatives to mcreeae its States becomes more involved in the gram.”” production and u= may dnva prices 21. Philadelphia Inquirer, ‘“Who Knows upward so that the pnca of 011may health problems on these islands. it How Long They ‘II Tak.c To Show ,“ April 20. soon deterrmne the price of food. is likely that the inhabitants will 1979. - . 43 pages. seine primarily as a source for U.S. 22. Conard and others. ‘“A Twemy Ye$r Review of MedlcaJ Findings in a Marshallcse 4 government research into the effects Population AcctdentaJly E;posed to Radioac- Each paper-S2.OCJ postage paid of radiation on human populations. O tive FalJout” (Upton. NY.: Brookhsven Na- Oulsde U.S. and CSnadS —S4.00 tional Laboratov. 19751. each. 23. U.S. Dcpartmen! of Energy. “Notth- Pleaee write for multiple copy prices for 1. Edward Mafiell to Theodore Mitchell em Marshefl Islands Aesxd Radtion sumey. any one tlfle and for complete 1s1o! 32 o (Mlcroneslan Legal Service Corpora:jon) September to November 1978.”’ available tille$. . . . . Dec. 9. 1974 X Microneslan Independent. “The 25.@30 2. Dcfcnsc Nuclear Agency. ‘“Fact Year QuestIon.” June 6.1980. Order From: Sheet—Encwetak Opera!lon” (Washington. 2S. Kotmdy. ““Brookhaven MedA Pro- THE BULLETIN D. C.: DNA. April 1980). gsam ‘“ of the Alomk S.ckntlsts 3. KIioh TV-2, mterwtcw with PSUi Udcll, 26. United Nations. ‘“Tnsstee*ip A$Tw- 1020-24East 58th Street Honolulu. March 1980 mcm for the Trust Tem(oW of the PacIfrc ls- 4. Floyd Takeuchi. Pacific and Asian Af- Iands (New York: U.N. Trusteeship Council. Chicago, Illmols60637 .. fairs %mmar. Honolulu. June IL?,1980. 1947).

December 1980 The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists 29