pelow, and neutrophile counts dropped to 2500 or less.

The symptoms

of several persons who developed upper respiratory infections during

this period were carefully monitored.

When their temperatures

rose threateningly, they were given antibiotics to prevent further
complications and they responded favorably.
treated with medication.

In all, 12 persons were

Fortunately no immediate serious illnesses

appeared, nor where there any fatalities.

Urine samples were taken

to try to calculate the original amount of radioactive material taken
into the bodies of people and to try to determine what amounts of
radioactive material still remained.

Fifty-two days after the bomb

exploded, seven people were selected from the Rongelap group to be
given a recovery agent, ethylene-diamine-tetra-acetic acid (EDTA),
which has the ability to help speed the process of elimination of some
_Yadionuclides tnrough the body's normal functions.

The attempt was

ended after five days, however, when it was determined that the general
effect of reducing the amount of the body's radioactive burden was so
slight as to be virtually useless.

This was due to the fact that

little was being excreted at that time, due in turn to the fact it had
been nearly two months since radioactive material had been ingested,
and it had become firmly settled in the tissues of the bodies.
by the time two months inad passed, after exposure, it appeare.. that
any possible immediate danger had passed.

The exposed American service-

men, after careful study which showed no positive findings, were
released to their duty stations.

At the end of three months, the

Tv

people of Utirik, who reportedly received the lowest dose of radioactivity,

.

35:

B85

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