could be related to the people, for when the Rongelapese and other affected
persons were evacuated,
their pigs and chickens were left behind on the island.
These animals were later collected and sacrificed at various times and
radiological studies made of all their tissues.
With the findings from these
studies,
the doctors then attempted to extrapolate the information to human
beings.
While they realized that extrapolations from animals cannot truly
represent
the actual situation with humans,
they at least provided a guideline.
The conclusions in the 1956 report considered the possible effects of radioactive iodine,
cesium and strontium.
As to the effects of iodine,
it was
thought that the amount received was estimated to be "about 150 rep.
Rongelap group (sic) and 50 rep.
for the Americans.''
This amount,
for
the report
said, while'high, was relatively low in comparison to doses persons receive in
radiation therapy.
As to the other radioactive elements, such as strontium,
the report concluded:
"oy... an evaluation of the date on the internal contamination,
including that of Sr 89 leads to the conclusion that the internal
hazard to the contaminated inhabitants of the Marshall Islands is
minimal both from the acute and long range point of view." (p.74)
{emphasis added]
With the discovery in 1964 of thyroid nodules in exposed Rongelapese, a
recalculation of the total internal dose of all radioactive elements,
radioactive iodine was made by James for children
old).
including
(Rongelap girls 3-4 years
James' recalculations yielded figures considerably higher than the
original estimates
calculations.
as opposed
for he had considered a factor overlooked in earlier
This factor was the relative size of the thyroid in children
to adults.
The earlier calculations had assumed a constant
thyroid weight for all persons
Oo io3
(about 20 grams).
-
James, however, used a