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Related Experiment Videos

The Northern Marshall Islands Radiological Survey: data and dose assessments

W L Robison1, V E Noshkin, C L Conrado

  • 1Health & Ecological Assessment Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, CA 94551-9900, USA.

Health Physics
|July 1, 1997
PubMed
Summary

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Radioactive fallout from nuclear tests in the Marshall Islands contaminated atolls. The Northern Marshall Islands Radiological Survey (NMIRS) found cesium-137 and strontium-90 were the main contributors to radiation dose, primarily through ingestion.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Science
  • Radiological Health
  • Nuclear Chemistry

Background:

  • Atmospheric nuclear testing, particularly from 1946-1958 at the Pacific Proving Grounds, resulted in widespread radioactive contamination in the Northern Marshall Islands.
  • Residual radioactive contamination poses potential health risks, necessitating comprehensive environmental assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the extent of residual radioactive contamination in the Northern Marshall Islands following atmospheric nuclear tests.
  • To assess radionuclide concentrations in various environmental compartments and estimate radiation doses to the population.

Main Methods:

  • Conducted the Northern Marshall Islands Radiological Survey (NMIRS) from September to November 1978, including aerial surveys for external gamma exposure rates.

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  • Collected and analyzed terrestrial, water, and marine samples for key radionuclides: 137Cs, 90Sr, 239+240Pu, and 241Am.
  • Calculated radiation doses using radionuclide concentrations, a diet model, and considering ingestion, inhalation, and external exposure pathways.

    • Main Results:

    • Cesium-137 (137Cs) was the primary contributor to the estimated dose, accounting for approximately 95% via ingestion.
    • The ingestion pathway constituted 70-90% of the total estimated dose, with strontium-90 (90Sr) as the second most significant radionuclide.
    • Maximum annual effective doses from man-made radionuclides ranged from 0.02 to 2.1 mSv y(-1), with combined doses (including background) up to 4.5 mSv y(-1).

    Conclusions:

    • Ingestion of local food, marine resources, and water is the dominant pathway for radiation exposure in the Northern Marshall Islands.
    • 137Cs and 90Sr are the critical radionuclides of concern for public health due to their prevalence and contribution to overall dose.
    • The radiological survey provides crucial data for understanding long-term radiation impacts and informing public health strategies in contaminated regions.