"ie BUOGET ANDO REPORTING CODE SOse Reassessment for Rongelap and Utirix CONTRACTOR NAME Associated Universites, inc. -Va. ( | HATOD-O1L-9 1-0 CODE BNL WP NUMBER DATE SREPARED » O3/31,530 | TASK NO. ; REV NC 0 Facilitv Requirements. Ie is anticipated that work for this proposal will use existing Laboratory facilities and site ucility services. 2-26. Publicacions. Data generated in this study has been used in other reports. -Jc. Purpose. To look for correlations between the incidence of thyroid nodules in the inhabicants of Rongelap and Utirik Islands (Marshall Islands) and che reassessed dose estimates. This study will fuse together all available information on fallout from the 3RAVO test and using advanced analytical techniques (now avatlable) derive real~stic dose estimates to che inhabitants of Rongelap and Utirik. The results should -rovide information towards assessment of the risk coefficients for radiacion-iduced thyroid disease. ~Ud. Backzround. Incidence of thyroid noduies, benign and malignance, in the exposed populations of Ucirik and Rongelap has itadicated critical differences in correspond- =ace between nodule incidence and thyroid dose for the populations. The estinated external dose received from the time fallout began to the time of evacuation shows that the Rongelap populacion received an external dose (175 rads) which was apout 13 times that for the Utirik population (14 rads), and che thyroid dose was a30ut 10 times larger, whereas che incidences of thyroid nodules in the two popula>20ns were noc significancly different. . A preliminary study has indicated thac che critical area of investigation is sNe period starting from the beginning of fallout co the completion of evacuation for both che islands. In addiction, che fact that the Utirik popularion re- curned within 120 days following evacuation, whereas the Rongelap population recurned only after three years, requires that we look closely at the Utirik population in terms of a longer exposure period, both internal and external. Further scudies would, therefore, have to concentrace on the re~examination of all availadle data in reports issued by various agencies during that pertod, consultations wich sclencific personnel involved at that time, tdencifyving tne areas of uncertainty, and using appropriate computer programs co analyze the data. The end resule will enable us to look fer correlations between the incidence of thyroid accuies and the reassessed dose escimates.