DRAFT 25 19 Oct 64 MEDICAL Of the three girls diagnosed with thyroid tumors in March two have had thyroidectomies and have been diagnosed with adenocarcinoma. The third is soon to have a thyroidectomy. Estimated doses to the thyroids are [100 to 175 rads external gamma plus 100 to 150 rads from absorbed radiofpdine.” Pending documented data, however, the AEC considers these findings "“tenfative.". While the two girls’ prognoses are uncertain, the surgeonsfeel "they may hate removed all the neop astic tissue.”"” Mar 65 CONTRACTOR MEDICAL Conard’s survey reveals that while the "health of both the exposed and unexposed people ... is generally good, and ... nutrition ... satisfaftory," three more cases of thyroid nodules are discovered: two bays and a 41-year-old woman. These people are being brought to BNL for "further examination and tregtment.” To date, no malignancies that can be "related to radiation" and no cases fof leukemia have surfaced. In addition, the people’s "blood elements" have returnad to normal; they “appear well adjusted to life on their home island and exhibit no untoward psychological reactions to their experience.""” May 65 CONTRACTOR RADIATION A study of gamma dose rates at Rongelap Atoll, done byjthe LRB between 1954 and 1963, reveals that the decline of these rates from 1954-9959 "followed the theoretical decay of mixed fission products from U** calculated byj Miller and Loeb." From 1959-1963, the reduction was “approximately half the predicted levels,” but this is attributed to the "downward movement ofthe long-lived gamma-qmitter Cs” in the soil.”"*" July 65 ADMINISTRATION CONTRACTOR MEDICAL All three thyroid cases found during the March 1965 surv operated on at the Lahey Clinic in Boston. The tumors in the two be benign. are successfully The woman, however, "has carcinoma of the thyroid metastases to local structures.” She is given a "sub-total thyroid 30 millicuries of iodine’’’. Of note is that the radioiodine dose approximately 160 rads, or one-tenth that of the youths. All [hree people are "returned to their island in satisfactory condition.""” The Congress of Micronesia holdsits first session.’ Aug 65 CONTRACTOR MEDICAL RADIATION Conard of BNL finds thyroid nodules in three more adofescents and two adults--bringing the total number of abnormalities to 11 out of the population of 82.“ fallout-exposed