mee Project Title: 13. Human Health Effects from Energy Generation Medical Studies of the People of the Marshall Islands Accidentally Exposed to Fallout Publications: GK-01-02-0!-1-(a) The following citation was previously listed only as submitted: Conard, R. A. Summary of thyroid findings in Marshallese 22 years after exposure to radioactive fallout. Radiation-Associated Thyroid Carcinoma, L. J. DeGroot, Editor, pp. 241-257, Grune & Stratton, New York, 1977. 14. Scope: a) 200 Word Summary: The primary objective is the determination of the life-time effects of fallout radiation on the Marshallese who were accidentally exposed to radioactive fallout on March 1, 1954. Medical Surveys of these people are conducted at quarterly intervals, and an unexposed Rongelap population is examined for comparison. The surveys, carried out jointly by Brookhaven National Laboratory under the auspices of the Department of Energy, and the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, are of great importance in view of the development in this population of growth impairment in some exposed children, thyroid lesions, and one case of acute leukemia. b) Supplement to 200 Word Summary: Post~exposure surveys in the Marshall Islands have been conducted for 23 years. In addition to the 244 people orginally exposed, a group of 150 unexposed Marshallese are examined for a “comparison population” to assess late effects of radiation from fallout. The continuing development of thyroid neoplasms, and the appearance of one case of acute leukemia, indicate the need for frequent examinations. In addition to routine physical, hematological, and other laboratory examinations, the surveys involve special studies related to aging, malignancy, reproduction and measurement of body burdens of radionuclides resulting from the slight contamination remaining on the islands. Thyroid patients are returned to the United States for complete hospitalization and surgical treatment. In view of the diverse medical problems and their management, a Physician and a Physician's Assistant are in residence at Kwajalein and make regular trips to Rongelap, Majuro and Utirik to supervise care and perform interim examinations of the exposed Marshallese. 15. Relationship to Other Projects: The studies of the exposed Marshallese are closely related to the Radiation Effects Research Foundation studies in Japan and to the studies of the 23 Japanese fishermen exposed at the same time as the Marshallese to fallout. Radiation still ranks as one of the more important hazards that must be considered in the DOE program. The effects of fallout exposure in the Marshallese provide valuable information, particularly with regard to thyroid effects from radioiodine exposure, that may relate to a reactor accident in the remote event that such should occur. The Marshallese data are used in (See Continuation Sheet) EK-18