~~
‘Eu
UNITED STATES
~
ABO 26
ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION
WASHINGTON. O.C.
MAY 12 wsy
tm es -
MEMORANDUM FOR CHAIRMAN SEABORG
aan
Lo
all
ToT Nt
THROUGH ‘GENERAL MANAGER 8fe~- =)
SUBJECT:
20565
“-f
US DOE ARCHIVES
326 U.S. ATOMIC ENERGY
——___|
RG__egremission—
Collection SECRETARIAT :-*. .
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON
COMMISSIONER NABRIT
COMMISSIONER RAMEY
©. COMMISSIONER TAPE -
yd
Box_
_
—
CU
{Folder MRES4
Now.¥.
RECENT INFORMATION ON THE ‘STATUS:pF THYROID DISEASE IN THE
MARSHALLESE EXPOSED TO FALLOUT FROM THE BIKINI TEST OF
MARCH 1, 1954
Since our lest memorandum on this subject Gated January 17, 1967, the
complete annual medical survey of the people of Rongelap Isiand has
been carried out by a team of physicians from the United States and tne
Trust Territory headed by Dr. Robert A. Conard of the Medical Department
of Brooxnaven National Laboratory.
One new case with a thyroid nodule was discovered.
This additional case
was in a i7-year old boy who had been eway on an outlying atoll and,
conseguently, had not been examined for several years. At this time, in
the group exposed at an age of less than ten years, 16 of a total of 19
children (84 percent) have Geveloped thyroid pathology.
children, two have displayed hypothyroidism.
Of these 16
It appears that these two
boys showing growth retardation have had a spurt in growth under treatment with thyroid hormone.
:
-
The remaining 14 children have had thyroid nodules.
Nine heve seen
treatec surgically. These nine children plus two acults who heve
received surgery were all found to be in good conGition with no further
apparent thyroid abnormalities: Five children with thyroid nocules are
receiving tnyroid medication. The tnyroic nodules in two of these
eniidren snowed significant regression; of the other three, one is the
new case, and the otner two children are not felt to have received en
ageguate trial on this therapy.
A decision regarcing surgery bes been
postponec until intensive thyroid hormone medication can be tried.
Dr. Conard reports no other noteworthy mecical finGings ané so ususuel
illimesses or aiseases tnat could be reileted to raciation efrects.
BEST COPY AVAILABLE
ec:
Secretariat (2
GM (2)
A x
Me
C. L. Dannemt, M.D., Director
Division of Biology end Medicise
—