DRAFT
22
9-24 Mar 60
CONTRACTOR
| .MEDICAL
Results of the 1959 and 1960 medical surveys of the Marshallese by Conard
of BNL reveal no "clinical signs and symptoms or abnormalities cleafly
attributable to"
the 1954 Castle Bravo test.
The tests reveal, however, "low
burdens of
strontium”, cesium'”’, and zirconium™* that are attributed to the cogtamination of the
islanders’ food supply. The report cautions that the "next five years{will be the critical
period for the development of leukemia in the Marshallese.""”
1961
CONTRACTOR
MEDICAL
Conard notes that body burdens of cesium”, zirconium} and strontium”
reach “equilibrium with environmental sources” and that "no effects from these
isotopes have been detected.""?
Mar 61
CONTRACTOR
MEDICAL
Conard’s medical survey reveals "no apparentillnesses or isabilities related
to radiation effects" and a "generally good” state of nutrition. BNL examiners
recommend future surveys because of persistent trends, such
the "incomplete
people,” growth
recovery of certain blood elements to jevels found in the unex
retardation in some irradiated children, and "pigmented chang at the sites of
radiation burns." During the survey the Rongelapese complain of “npt getting enough
to eat" and the continued T.T. ban on eating coconut crabs.
ey also attribute
certain phenomenato radiation, such as changes to the coconut ang pandanustrees,
illnesses resulting from the eating of fish with "black spots” on the abdomens, and
"inflammation and blistering of the mouth from eating arrowrootflopr.” Thelatter, in
Conard’s opinion, results from improper preparation of the flour ard
contamination.'“
23 Oct 61
POLICY
WEAPONTESTING
Officials from the DOI, the Department of State, and the
possible resumption of nuclear testing in the T.T. Because of advefse
not radioactive
POD discuss the
world opinion
and the fact that the Micronesians are now well represented leghlly, Johnston or
Christmas Islands are preferred over Bikini or Enewetak, and it is agreed that testin
at Enewetak should only be considered if other feasible test sites
cannot be found.’
3 Nov 61
POLICY
WEAPONTESTING
|
SO
-Noting that under the trusteeship agreement with the UN th¢ U.S. is “directly
responsible for the well-being of the people of Micronesia,” Acting Secretary of the
Interior James K. Carr, advises Glenn T. Seaborg, chairman of the
further testing in the T.T. of the Pacific Islands."
AEC, “against any