54
in the exposed population will be compared with
those in the unexposed for differences that might
indicate possible premature aging effects. As
pointed out, such differenves have not been apparent thusfar.
tion and various comparison populauons since
exposure in March 1954. In Appendices 3 and +
are listed the individual biood counts lor 1959 and
1960. The data are also summarized graphically
in Figures 33, 35, and 38. Vhe blood data have
been classified as in the past according to age and
sex. The results of blood counts in the 1959 and
1960 surveys may be summarized as tullows.
White Blood Counts. The mean WBC in 1959
showed a further trend upward in buth the exposed and unexposed populauons, being slightly
lower in the former (see Table 2t and Figure 33).
The 1960 WBCievel of the exposed peuple
RESIDUAL BETA BURNS
Ten peuple conunued to show residual skin
damage from beta burns sustained 6 years previously. Most of che residua consisted of very mild
changes, such as varying degrees of pigment alteration giving a mottled appearance, sometimes accompanied by a roughening ofthe skin (increased
rugosity). Some showed more pronounced changes,
such as atrophy and scarring. None of the more
severe residual lesions showed any gross evidence
of breakdown with the development ofchronic
radiation dermatitis or any premalignant or malignant change. No biopsies were taken. Several
women who had sustained more severe neck lesions
seemed tu be showing an increase in pigmented
motes in and aroundthealfected areas. However,
showed a considerable drop from a mean level of
9500 in 1959 to 6500 in 1960 as compared with
the trend during the previous two years {no counts
were made on unexposed people in 1960). The explanation tor this is not clear. Lhe percentage distribution of the various white ceil levels was not
very different, however, from that of the previous
values.
Neutrophils. The neutrophils in 1959 (Table
21 and Figure 33) showed an increase corresponding to the increase in WBCin both exposed and
unexposed populations, the mean level also being
sightly flower in the exposed. A scattergram
(Figure 34) of the age distribution of the counts in
this is not certain, and these moles will be ob-
served carefully in the tuture for any suspicious
changes. In Table 2U are listed descriptions of the
residual beta burns seen in 1960. Figure 32 shows
healed beta burnsofthe leet 5 years after exposure.
1959 shows a greater tendency for the younger
groups to have lower mean counts in the exposed
than in the unexposed populations. This was
noted also in 1958. In 1960 the average of neutrophil counts was 3500 tor the exposed group compared with 4800in 1959. This decrease corresponded with the decrease in the total white count.
LABORATORY EXAMINATIONS
Hematological
In Appendices 1 and 2 are presented summaries
of the mean blood counts of the exposed popula-
‘Fabie 21
Mean Leukocyte and Platelet Counts, 1959 and 1960, bywe and Sex
Rongelap exposed
1959
WBRO (x10),
ave 2-5
Neut (x10'),
age
Lymph (x10 ‘age
Monu ¢xXiU ), age
Fosin. (x 10+), age
Basu. (x 10 >},
~5
24
5
25
age 5
Plate. (x 100°), Malesage5-10
t4lQ
Females
->
Ailingnae exposed
1960
1954
Unexposed
[Yoo
1959
95m
25° (oo 65 +18 (54)
Y¥7 4240135)
7.4 H4.3 (14)
Obst
314023)
4462
404
JO
5.U2
49
12.35
$B
3.6
(60)
(60)
(60)
(60)
3571.5
27408
O6eU-2
2.720.8
SLAZ1V(1S)
A7AV TE (1S)
S27 5015)
6.UTE2 015)
Sb oedsy
SO 12 6¢14)
Ob. 83)
4020.2 (035)
ye
$d
247,
BO
Vl) 25)
L4¢'23)
25 (124j
99EL25)
04>
U.44+0.11 (54)
0.520.8(15)
(40.4 (15)
O5+t
Wal)
(54)
(54)
(54)
(54)
O06
(60)
$2.42200
( 7)
-
40.9
2h4e
99
(20)
-
26.3 HOU
YIGHLOS
(293
( 2)
4)
Jo.84 55.7 ( 9)
*Stancdard des iatuon.
**The numbers in parentheses are the nuribers of people ui the groups.
-
Jt.b 2108 e
11)
2BOUt ¥4¢
54)
Shir 720 52)