RADIOLOGICAL HEALTH JUSTIPICATION is whe rublic Health Service nas been conducting off-site operations since 1955 to assess the possibic hazaras which may be associated with muczear testing in Nevada within the area extencing 200-300 miles from the Nuciear Test Site. Tne Division of Radiological Health has also adition, the Division has divected a major share of its research orts to biological effects cf radiation particularly the radionoiums and the radioiodines. onl oe w Oo Hy nh oO HO ct Fy 3; 9 rried out an extensive nationwide environmental surveillance progran. wu a2 ch ct » I ch oO She August 1963 hearings of the Joint Commitee on Atomic Energy, ongress of the United States, resuited in renewed interest concerning he question of possible injury GO restdests: in proximity to the Nevada est Site as a result or fallout from weapons tests in Nevada. The urgeon General stated in a press release. dated August 23, 1963, that Public Healtn Service was intensifying its studies relevant to his cuestion. This program has cneluded epidemiological studies of elected causes of morbidity and mortality potentially related to aciavion exposure with special attention directed to thyroid neoplasm un to ch g > po» rs nc vo blood diseases and also supportive experimental radiopiologic 8 eg Public Health Service field investi tions began with the coliection o> case histories on Utah and Nevada patieents with thyroid disease who , were hospitalized any time afte:~19b8. records of thyroid surgery aie 1 in indivicuals under 30 years oF ase wer checked. There is a suggestion or an inereaseca thyroid cancer incidence in the Utah area during the period 1956-1962 over the period i918- 1952 in certain age and sex groups. However, rurvher time and similar data from other areas for control purposes will be necessary peTore any conclusions can be drawn or clear wrends cetermined with respect to geographical or temporal patterns. Leukemia mortality in Washington and Tron Counties, Utah, from i9501954 was also investigated. Preliminary results from this investigation Gicate a greater number of cases of leukemia in these counties tnan id be vredicted on the basis oF the nationwide incidence of leukemia. woLlda Tneve were 28 cases found where 19 would have occurred on the basis of national raves Tne significance, if any, of this finding cannot be evaluated au tne present vime. “he most recent phase of tne population study is a comparison of the findings py school children the preliminary thyroid nodules physical examination Tor thyroid abnormalities among in Washington County, Utah, and Granam County, Arizona. results of this study indicate a higher prevalence of in the 2,050 school children in Washington County, Utah, than in the 1,442 scnool children in Graham County, Arizona, tne Latter being an ethnically similar group wno, through the years, are believed to nave received very little exposure from fallout com- pared tO tne Utah group, Further investigations are necessary in