_—
»
*
,
evident that the
(
~—
life scorteming is some function of the dose of radiation,
extrapoletion from nice toman is extrezely difficulty,
Novever, the
It is unlikely that any good
statistical analysis can be made on the Marshallese because of the small mmbers of
individuals and the uncertainty of the precise birthdete in the older sroups.
There
has been one death in the Rongelap group who at autopsy showed evidence of heart disease.
In the larger group from Utirik there have been five deaths.
The mumber of
deaths is comparable in both groups one having received 175 r and the latter only
14 r.
To date one must concluje that there las been no significant evidence for
prenature ageing or shortening of the life span of the Marshallese,
Leukemia and Cancer
Loukenta is one of the things thet is know to heave occurred in the Japanese
and is prevalent in irradiated laboratory animals.
To dete no leukemia has occurred
end there is no evidence of leukemic tendencies, This is being studied intensively
ty the uss of alkaline phosphatase studies on the granulocytes and besophile counts
on the blood,
It has been shown by the studies of Moloney et al., in Jepan that a
tasophilia and decrease in alkaline phosphatase orecedes the development of leukemia,
Genetic Effects
The small number of individuals involved and the inadequate vital statistics
make it difficult to determine genetic changes,
It is certain that there have been
no abnormalities in the first generetion of babies.
The umesireable aspects for
genetic studies are in part offset by the teniency of ccnsanguinous marriages that
are prevalent among the Marshallese.
From this steauipcint genetic effects may
cevelop and are being sought.
Lonz Term iffeots of ITnternally Deposited Radionuclides
The very small ancunts of ridioactive msterials that are deposited internally
ure by themselves inadequate to produce sericus long tern effects.
Fowever the sub-
ject is complicated by the fect thet the individuals hed a substantial initial insult |
from whole body radiation,
In addition to the whole body rediation the thyroid gland
arc
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