-2The examinations included medical histories, complete physical examinations, and blood and other laboratory examinations. In addition spectographs of gamma ray activity were obtained from individuals measured in a steel room and from radiochemical analysis of urine samples in order to determine their body burdens of radionuclides. Analyses of the data are not complete and those data referring to this recent survey mist be considered as preliminary in nature. In conjunction with the examinaticns, considerable medical and dental treatment of the people was carried out to the extent possible under field conditions. Following the accident, the Rongelapese had shown signs of significant exposure to radiation such as short-lived loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, depression of their blood-forming tissues, multiple burns of the skin from beta exposure and internal absorption of fission products. Findings of the past surveys revealed that the people have recovered from the acute effects of their radiation exposure. fo diseases, illnesses or deaths have occurred which could be directly related to their radiation exposure. The incidence of all diseases noted has been about the same in both the exposed and unexposed control groups examined. The general physical condition of both exposed and unexposed people on the island appeared good and their nutritional status was satisfactory. During the past year one death occurred in a 35 year-old man, bringing the total deaths in the exposed group to 3 for the five year period. This represents a death rate about equal to that of the Marshall Islands as a whole (about 7 deaths per 1000 population per year). Findings, previously reported, which were interpreted as suggestive of a slight lag in growth and development of the children during the first few years after exposure are being re-evaluated on the basis of more exact age data obtained on the past survey. The results of this evaluation are not complete enough to make any state~ ments at present. One case of cancer (ovarian) developed in a 61 year-old female during the past year, the first case of cancer noted in either the exposed or unexposed populations. There is no reason to belteve that this cancer is related to radiation effect. Fertility does not appear to have been affected since the birth rate has been higher in the exposed than in the unexposed Marshallese. A somewhat increased prevalence of miscarriages and stillbirths has been noted in the exposed group, but due to paucity of vital statistics on the Marshallese and the small number of people involved, no statistical analysis is possible. 1181820