18 C. HEMATOLOGICAL FINDINGS Since blood-forming cells are among the most radiosensitive cells in the body, hematological examinations have been emphasized in both exposed and unexposed populations. Evidence of such sensitivity in the exposed Rongelap people was provided by the early acute depression of leukocytes and platelets and by possible residual effects on hemopoiesis indicated by a lag in recoveryof blood elements to the levels of the unexposed population. The developmentof a fatal case of leukemia may also be evidence of residualeffect. bx 7 307 e > : Zo = , _ g + ¢ Para é > ® ee t ® ~f\1\2 Me pore” * -*?} + ‘ wv Neutrophils o2r iv — ® go-tititip oe O8 * a 24 40 * A oN or g * wh EEHS eet ] Pope 36 726123456789 J] 13 10 Days 1. Procedures Mo a «6120 0#«1350«tF «14)« «616 619 O18 Years Timeafter exposure Figure 10. Mean neutrophil and white cell counts of Rongelap people from the time of exposure through 20 Until 1972 yearly measurements were made of peripheral blood elements, including WBC, differ- years post exposure. Stars represent mean values of comparison population. ential white counts, RBC and hematocrit and, or hemoglobin,andplatelet counts. Since a case of ETT TTTSTITT TT TTT TT i r Years Timeafter exposure *Dr. B.S. Blurmberg, Institute for Cancer Research, Phila- delphia, did the studies for Australia antigens. 7, H= x 20 = 3 20& ay 10+- & 4 7 7 =~ 1 + Figure 1!. Mean lymphocyte counts of Rongelap people from time of exposure through 20 years post exposure. Stars represent mean values of comparison population. in later sections, where relevant. *Mr. N. McDaniel of SUNYat Stony Brook has donethe differeatial counts for the past several years. **Dr. W. Moloney and Mrs. L. Tullin at Harvard Medical School did the 2... :iene phosphatase staining of neutrophils in peripheral blood s<::¢ ars. poe te 13) t5 617) oY F214 «16 «18 26 10 alkaline phosphatase staining of neutrophils,** analysis for Australiaantigens),’ studies of red cell and plasma volume, chromosome analysis, etc. Plasma and red cell samples have been brought back for special studies in laboratories in the United States. These studies are further discussed In Figures 10 to 12 the mean blood counts of the combined (Rongelap and Ailingnae) exposed group are compared with those of the unexposed groupover the 20-year period. Data arelisted in Table 12 for the past 5 years, and in Appendix 6 for the entire 20 years. Figure 13 shows the cu- roy _ immature forms, basophil counts in 4000 cells, 2. Recovery of Hemopoiesis rf TT] oO nm cameinto use (Coulter counter and General Sci- ence Haema-Count MK 3 and MK instruments). Reticulocyte and bone marrow examinations have been done on several occasions bystandard procedures.* A number of special hematological examinations over the years have includedtests for leukemia (i-e., special scanning of blood smearsfor Lymphocytes « 10-4 leukemia was found in 1972, such measurements have been made twice a year. The counts were done under a microscope until electronic means ot? oe Males (age > 10) OLLiiptit til, dp dion di i O08 24 4056726 123456789 Days Mo 10 Lobo tt 11 12 13 14 ta 15 «17-19 «#16 #18 3 Years Time after exposure Figure 12. Mean platelet counts of Rongelap people from time of exposure through 20 years post exposure. Stars represent mean counts of unexposed comparison populations.