DRAFT | 26 A study of “atoll soil types in relation to the distribution of fallout radionuclides," made from collections done in 1958, 1959, 1961, and 1963, is completed by the LRB. It notes that "different plant soil environments on single islets have a different vertical distribution pattern ... from the same fallout.” In addition, "the maximum concentration of fallout radionuclides remains at the soil surface ... except in areas where there has been erosion.” Finally, while "Cs'” and Sr” are the principal radionuclides entering a cycle within the soil-plant system" and "loss from this system appears to be small," no definite conclusions are drawn from this data.’ Sep - Dec 65 CONTRACTOR MEDICAL Conard begins “routine administration of thyroid hormone" to the exposed Rongelap people.’ 1966 ADMINISTRATION WEAPONTESTING The T.T. legislature requests President Lyndon B. Johnson to create a commission to consider the future status of the T.T."* Safeguard "C" focuses on Johnston Atoll under a memorandum of understanding between the Defense Atomic Support Agency (DASA) and the AEC.'* Feb - Mar 66 CONTRACTOR MEDICAL Conard identifies five more people with thyroid nodules, bringing the total to 16 of the 69 survivors from the 1954 test. The BNL plans to bring these five new cases to BNL in May for study and treatment. To date only one cancer case has been found, but it is noted that thyroid cancer often grows "in nodular fashion." Forty children from Utirik who had received 14R whole body exposures are also examined, and: no:nodules are found. !n addition, 194 unexposed Marshallese now living ‘on: these islands are examined, and three people over 47 years old are found to have nodules.'%t es a a May - Jun 66 CONTRACTOR MEDICAL The five Marshallese with nodules, discovered in Conard’s March 1966 survey, are brought to BNL for evaluation and given subtotal thyroidectomies at New England Deaconess Hospital in Boston. All patients have goiters with nodules and one has Hurtle cells. None exhibit complications, and the group is returned home on 16 June. They will be treated with thyroid hormones.'” Sep 66 CONTRACTOR MEDICAL Conardvisits the five Marshallese operated on in June 1966 and finds no new medical problems. In addition, "the nodules ... of the remaining patients seem... controllable by ... thyroid hormone.""”' .