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G2 BIOLOGICAL PACTORS.
There are certain biological factors known
to influence the sensitivity of the skin to radiation.
In addition to species
differences referred to, it is known that the skin of certain parts of the
body is more sensitive to radiation than that of others.
In ceneral, the
thinnereskinned flexor surfaces of the body are more sensitive than the thickerskinned extenscr surfaces GiacKee, ‘ipolarro and Montgomery).
to be true in the Marshallese.
This was found
Lesions were more prevalent on the front and
sides cf the neck, axilla and antecubital fossae.
ted with pigmentation of the skin.
Another factor is associa=
Darker-skinned people, brunettes, arc
known to be less sensitive to radiation than blondes or people with ruddy
complexions, and Negro skin is the most resistant (MacKee, Cipollaro and
Montgomery; Bloom and Bloom).
Areas of the body where perspiration is more profuse, such as the folds
of the neck, axillae, and antecubital fossae tend tc cause the fallout to
atick and collect.
It was found that skin lesions in these areas were more
abundant in the Marshallese.
This effect is increased in a warm, humid cli»
mate, such as in the Marshall Islands.
2? CONCLUDING REMARKS
As a reault of the Marshallese accident, the potentialities of serious
injury to the skin from fallout associated with the detonation of large me
clear devices are apparent.
Of concern also ig the occurrence of similar
radiation injuries to the skin from accidental exposure to radioisotopes which
are being used increasingly.
The skin hazards associated with fiallout can be sreatly reduced by take
ing simple precautionary measures.
perience in this regard.
Much was learned from the Marshallese exe
This group of people was not aware of the hazards
of fallout and only minimal, if any, efforts were made tc protect themselves.
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