Residual Radioactivity On Islands
p. 35 · Read in the full issue
About 100 people, mostly civilians, are currently living on Eniwetok.
They are involved with a US Coast Guard Loran station and the PACE programme. A recent survey by the Atomic Energy Commission shows that some residual radioactivity exists on some of the islands, but the government has said these will be “cleaned up” before the atoll is returned. Remaining radioactivity is mostly concentrated on pieces of scrap metal, with which some of the islands are littered.
But there are many aluminium buildings on the islands of Eniwetok and Parry that are still in excellent shape, and docks and wharves, and the major airfield, will be of special value for the returning islanders.
There has been some suggestion that bomb craters could be used as small boat harbours, or for fish farming. The islands are more abundant with coconuts and crabs than the islanders’ present home of Ujelang.