RADIATION ON PITCAIRN

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30044, 31 January 1963, Page 10

RADIATION ON PITCAIRN

Survey By N 3. Laboratory

Soil, water, and vegetation samples from Pitcairn Island have been collected by the Dominion X-ray and Radium Laboratory, Department of Health, and are being analysed to establish their level of radioactivity, the director (Mr G. E. Roth) said yesterday. The samples were taken as pari of the laboratory’s general programme of measuring natural radiation levels on the Pacific isiands, but would be particularly valuable in giving a basis of measurement for any increeee in level after the proposed series of French nuclear testa at Mangarevs, about 350 miles from Pitcairn. Mr Roth said.

The natural redietion level on some Pacific islands was high by world standards, said Dr.. Roth. A case to point wm Niue, where a special in? veetigation wm to be made soon by a team from the British Medical Research Council. The natural level on Pitcairn was therefore of considerable general scientific interest, quite apart from any value it wouM have in giving basic data for a monitoring service. Asked if his laboratory in-' tended to monitor foil-out on Pitcairn if tests were held at Mangareva, Mr Roth said it would if instructed to do so by the New Zealand Government. but not otherwise a* the intend was the responeibility of Britain. The. materiel train Pitcairn was Collected by a medical officer at the laboratory’s request.