DRAFT 22 9-24 Mar 60 CONTRACTOR MEDICAL Results of the 1959 and 1960 medical surveys of the Marshallese by Conard of BNLreveal no "clinical signs and symptoms or abnormalities clearly attributable to" the 1954 Castle test. The tests reveal, however, “low body burdens of strontium”, cesium’, and zirconium*™ that are attributed to the contamination 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 disabilities related to radiation effects" and a “generally good" state of nutrition. BNL examiners recommend future surveys because of persistent trends, such as the "incomplete recovery of certain blood elements to levels found in the unexposed people," growth retardation in some irradiated children, and "pigmented changes at the sites of radiation burns." During the survey the Rongelapese complain of "not getting enough to eat" and the continued T.T. ban on eating coconut crabs. They also attribute certain phenomenato radiation, such as changes to the coconut and pandanustrees, illnesses resulting from the eating of fish with "black spots” on their abdomens, and "inflammation andblistering of the mouth from eating arrowrootflour." Thelatter, in Conard’s opinion, ‘results from improper preparation of the flour and not radioactive contamination.“ 23 Oct OF eT sas s POLICY’ it ¥: WEAPON TESTING... _. Fs Officials from the DOI, the Department of State, and the DOD discuss the possible resumption of nucleartesting in the T.T. Because of adverse world opinion and the fact that the Micronesians are now well represented legally, 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 Noting that under the trusteeship agreement with the UN the 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 AEC, “against any = ca ql further testing in the T.T. of the Pacific islands." 360