IV.

Surviving adult Utirik people exposed to fallout.
dose:

(Estimated

14 rads external gamma plus 15 rem internal irradiation.)
Total - 120

1.

One person developed a nodular thyroid gland and
underwent surgery in 1969.

As the tissue resembled

a follicular adenoma in frozen section, a total

thyroidectomy was performed; histologic sections

confirmed the diagnosis and upgraded the degree of

malignancy.

2.

She has recovered satisfactorily,

One person with slight enlargement of one lobe of
the thyroid to be treated conservatively and observed.

One case of nodular thyroid has been found in a non-exposed Rongelap
woman living on Ebeye. Thyroid surgery has been recommended for this
patient at Majuro Hospital, No other instances of thyroid abnormalities have been found in the control populations living on Utirik,
Majuro or Ebeye.
kk

It appears that the exposed populations have stabilized so far as the

thyroid reactions are concerned. Since the delayed reactions by the
thyroid are a possibility, Dr. Conard proposes that this population
continue to be kept under observation,

Dr, Conard notes that the Bikini people now living on Kili are putting

increasing pressure on the Trust Territory for return to their Atoll
before the restoration is complete and the land can support a population.
This movement may cause the Trust Territory to ask that all radiologic

and safety activities be accelerated so that decisions can be made as
to construction of homes, cisterns, etc.,, ahead of schedule,

CHIVES
A low key public announcement of the above observations is being
poE AR
considered by the Brookhaven public relations office,
The same information is being forwarded to Mr. Bauser for the information

of the Joint Committee on Atomic Energy,

NO 4

seeD

John R, Totter
Director
Division of Biology and Medicine

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