14 lowexcretors @itter heterozygous or homozygous for the dominantallele. Striking differences in the incidence of high excretors invarious populations have been demonstrated, and it appears that this genetic polymorphism may be of considerable value in anthropo-genetic investigations.*! °° As a part of the studvof the genetic relation- ships and origins of various Pacific peoples, this re- port extends observations on BAIB excretion to the Micronesians inhabiting the Marshall Islands. The fact that some of the Micronesians were exposed to considerable radiation in 1954 is of special interest here, since tt is known that radia- carried out every year need be done only once every two to three vears. In addition, as pointed our ‘fore, the Trust Territory officials were concerned about the slowness of economic recoveryof the Rongelapese and felt that the numerousvisiting sclentinc teams, particularly those with large ships and crews, were partly responsible for the unrest of the people and therefore requested that the size of the surveys be kept to a minimum. It was decided to defer the gamma spectrographic analys. intil 1961. The Trust Territory officials agreed to greater participation of their medical personnel in future surveys and to the use ofone t1on exposure can, temporarily at least, increase BAIB excretion,** and studies on the Marshallese population may elucidate possible long-term effects. Urine samples from 65 exposed and 119 unex- of their cargo ships (Figure 9), which routinely made the rounds of the islandsfor gathering copra, for carrying out the survey at Rongelap. Accordingly, for the 1960 survey the team consisted lage) were collected in plastic bottles containing thymol preservative. The sexes were equally repre- mainder of the medical group, arranged by the posed people (75.7% of the population of the vil- sented, and the ages varied from 3 to >>70 years. In some cases several members of the samefarnily were included, and some kinships suitable for genetic analysis were available. Eighteen samples collected on Utirik were also studied. Urines were kept at 4°C and shipped in refrigerated containers to Seattle for analysis. These studies were carried out by one of us (B.S. Blumberg) and Dr. S.A. Gartler of the Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington. Studies were completed 2 to 3 weeksafter collection of the specimens. Determinations of BAIB were carried out by high voltage electrophoresis on paper,** and creatinine was determined by the alkaline picrate method. Radionuclide Body Burden Evaluation The methods used in the radionuclide body burden evaluation are described later in a separate section. of only one physician and one technician from Brookhaven National Laboratory, and the re- Trust Territory, included its Director of Public Health, two Marshallese medical officers, and two Micronesian laboratory technicians. The Difector of Dental Services and one of his dental officers also accompanied the team to carryout treatment of the people. The District Administrator of the Marshall Islands accompanied the team in order to consult with the people on their agricultural program. * As in the previous year, several of the exposed people nowliving at Kwajalein and Majuro Atolls were examined at these atolls prior to the Rongelap visit. PROCEDURES As in previous surveys, €Xaminations were carried out in the dispensary and the schoolhouse in Rongelap village. Interval medical histories and complete physical examinations were carried out * Again in 1960, when the team arrived at Rongelap, the mag- 1960 Survey BACKGROUND MATERIAL The 1960 survey was reduced in size and scope and limited to a very brief examination of the exposed people only. Several factors brought about this change. The people had recovered to the ex- tent that certain special examinations previously istrate requested a meeting with the people. The line of questions and discussion was about the same as that reported for the previous year. Resistance toward the examinations was expressed by only one or two of the people. Objections were again raised against the ban on eating coconut crabs, which selectively con- centrate Sr’? to such an extent that th-” ~onsumption nad to be prohibited (Figure 4). The people we .ssured that these crabs were being repeatedly examined anc that, when it wassafe to eat chem, immediate notification would be given. Fish poisoning apparently had been less of a problem during the past year since anly one case had been noted, and the subject was not brought up again Following this meeting, cooperation by the people in the examinations was alrnost complete.