—_—

PRIVACYACT MATERIAL REMOVED

ec, Ve

United States Department of the Interior

°°

!

_

/

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY
WASHINGTON,
‘ASHINGTON, D.C.
D.C.

20240
$

iV

rn

" RAtp

409938

Dr. William W. Burr

959

Director

office of Health and Environmental
Research

AUG 141

Office of Environment
Mail Station E-201

Department of Energy
Washington, D.C. 20545
Dear Dr.

Burr:

At the August 6,

1980, meeting on Section 102 of P.L.

96-205

with representatives of the Government of the Marshall Islands
and representatives from the various affected atolls, the

Marshalls Government representatives stated that a medical
doctor recently visited Wotje Atoll to examine the people for
possible radiation induced illnesses or conditions.
For the record, the Marshall Islands Government delegation
presented us with a copy of a letter addressed to a lawyer,
Mr. Gordon Stemple of Beverly Hills, California, by Dr. Reuben
Merliss, M.D., also of Beverly Hills. A copy of Dr. Merliss'
letter is enclosed for your information and review.
While we were informed at the August 6, 1980, meeting that
Dr. Merliss had examined the people of Wotje Atoll, his report is
very general in nature.
He does not mention "Wotje" but rather
speaks of "the Marshall Islands".
In one instance, he mentions
a boy with "leukemia".
This, we assume, must be a reference to

of Rongelap.
He also refers to patient hospital
records he examined at Majuro, but does not identify the individuals
by island.
At one point he mentions Utirik Atoll and problems
the Utirikese are experiencing with vision.
Many of his comments
appear to us to refer to the people of Rongelap Atoll since he
speaks of immediate effects of the fallout, i.e., hair loss and

burns of the skin.

I would greatly appreciate if you and your medical
consultants could provide comments on Dr. Merliss' report and
his conclusions.
#7.

Sincerely

.

BEST COPY AVAILABLE
ro 200
Enclosure

.

, Sistagt Secretary Designate

Territorial and International Affairs
A
n

PRIVACY ACT MATERIAL REMOVED

hy Le

Ii pee rte
i

a

“!

can

be:

wi

git

-

i

»

Select target paragraph3