A Permanent Exhibit

"The Republic of the Marshall Islands and the United States: A Strategic Partnership"

The History of the RMI's Bilateral Relationship with the United States

1. Introduction   2.WWII   3.Trust Territory   4. Nuclear Testing 5. Testing Effects 6. Resettlement 7. Constitution 8. RMI HOMEPAGE

Effects Of The Testing

 The populations from Rongelap and Utrik who were exposed to acute doses of radiation from the Bravo shot are still enrolled in a medical program which continues to document the long-term human effects of radiation exposure. These photographs show the burns, epilation and lesions which the Rongelap community suffered after exposure to radioactive fallout. In addition to their external symptoms, many Marshallese experience a variety of medical problems associated with the inhalation and ingestion of environmental sources of radiation.
The testing program has severe effects on the health of the Marshallese people and their environment.
Medical facilities were established by the U.S. Government to better observe and understand the medical problems of the Marshallese exposed to acute radiation.
U.S. Government doctors examining Marshallese who were evacuated from their home atolls after acute radiation exposure.
Following acute exposure to radiation, the U.S. Government evacuated the people of Rongelap and Utrik to Kwajalein Atoll, where they were temporarily housed and fed.
U.S. military personnel entertain a group of evacuated children on Kwajalein Atoll.
Many Marshallese came in contact with Americans for the first time when the U.S. military evacuated them from their home atolls.
A U.S. Government worker uses a geiger counter to measure lingering radiation on the thatch roof of a Marshallese house. These measurements were used to help estimate radiation exposure rates that Marshallese received.
Both U.S. and Marshallese workers cleaned radioactive debris from the ground-zero location. The radioactive debris was either bulldozed into the ocean or stored in temporary containment sites.
In addition to determining the radiological effects of the tests, the U.S. military was interested in determining the damage which the tests would have on military equipment in the event of a nuclear war. This photograph shows the damage done to the USS Skate as a result of the Able Test, July 1, 1946.
Radiation from the weapons tests entered the food chain of many islands. The U.S. Government continues to monitor and study the environment to determine radiation levels in Marshallese local foods.
Before removing their protective suits, U.S. Government workers scrub with Tide detergent in an attempt to reduce the radioactivity.

1. Introduction   2.WWII   3.Trust Territory   4. Nuclear Testing 5. Testing Effects 6. Resettlement 7. Constitution 8. RMI HOMEPAGE