C C. AEC Staff Comments on the Report on Rongelap and Utirik to the Congress of Micronesia Prepared by the Special Joint Committee Concerning Rongelap and Utirik Atolls These comments are directed primarily to the discussion of medical aspects, which form the primary topic of consideration in the Report. The comments are not intended as either a review or critique of the Report but as a means of correcting misunderstandings or questionable interpretations. 1. The Committee expressed concern over the radiation exposure incurred by the people of Rongelap subsequent to their return to their atoll (pp. 101-103). The return to the atoll was approved after radiological surveys indicated that the residual levels of radioisotopes on the atoll would not be expected to result in concentrations of isotopes in the inhabitants above acceptable levels. Monitoring of the people at annual intervals confirmed that values of body burdens of radioisotopes increased after return to the atoll but, nevertheless, remained well below permissible limits. The Government's decision to approve the return of the people to the atoll took into account both the wishes of the people to return and their radiological safety. 2. With regard to genetic studies (pp. 105-108), the reluctance to perform such studies on small groups of people is due in part to the concern, based on past experience, that findings that are not statisti- cally significant but are suggestive may create the false impression of either an effect or no effect when the opposite may be true. With small numbers, statistical variation may produce a spurious result that would be nullified in a larger sample. That was the reason for deciding against a genetic study on the Marshallese at an earlier date, However, in response to the wishes of the Committee, the question of a genetic study is being considered again, ° 3. Regarding miscarriages, stillbirths and fertility (pp. 108-110), both observation and documentation of such events is so poor that no reliable data could be assembled. Furthermore, there is no information on the incidence of miscarriages and stillbirths in unexposed persons on comparable islands who might serve as a reference group. For that reason the survey teams could reach no conclusions about the effect of the fallout on miscarriages and stillbirths. The Lack of data also applies to sterility. Tests of spermatogenesis were not conducted out of deference to cultural patterns, ower e CTA es . . -~ om aR ME ATE SptR WM Bw Rk eT Ng ne ge Se anes amr ae