Exposure to External and Internal Radiation - (~ Project Title: 16. Medical Studies of Marshall Islanders and Study of Radiation Effects on Intracellular Mechanisms Technical Progress in FY 1973: RX-01-01-(a) (Cont'd.) normal and the prognosis in both cases is excellent. SNA A total of 23 exposed Rongelap people have developed thyroid abnormalities ber no a since 1963. When the development of thyroid abnormalities was first observed, it became apparent that growth retardation noted in some of the children was related to thyroid hormone deficiency from injury to that gland. The Rongelap ats exposed population were then placed on thyroid hormone treatment. It appears that this treatment has been beneficial with regard to improvement in growth in some of the children, though it is impossible to evaluate what prophylactic effect this treatment may have on the incidence of further nodularity or carcinoma of the gland. nN During the year the three previously reported cases of thyroid malignancy among the Rongelap people were brought to Tripler Army Hospital in Hawaii for The One case showed no positive findings and was returned home. evaluation, other two cases showed questionable areas with the thyroid scan. They were brought to the United States for surgical exploration; no extension of the malignancy was found. > . Since August 1972, Dr. Knud Knudsen from this laboratory, has been a C ' stationed in the Marshall Islands. He is carrying out extensive health care services for the Rongelap and Utirik peoples as well as checking on the thyroid treatment program. This service is appreciated by the Marshallese and is of great value in our assessment of the medical status of the people. Without a competent biochemist to replace Dr. Oh, the anticipated progress on studies of mitogenic molecular subunits has been curtailed. 17. Expected Results in FY 1974: The September survey included two medical observers from Japan, one from England and one from the Public Health Service, Their reports have been presented to the Congress of Micronesia. It is believed the reports are favorable and should dispel the false accusations made by the Congressmen about the surveys, In view of the seriousness of the leukemia and thyroid develop- ments in the Marshallese, it is anticipated that the annual examinations will continue with hematological examinations every six months. in the lymphocytic studies several objectives will be pursued during the comii: year if funds are available. Methods for electron microscopic function of time will be perfected. The mechanism of action of the mitogens autoradiographic localization of the site of action of labeled mitogens as a will be investigated by a variety of studies: (1) interaction, (complexing) of the mitogens with warious cellular elements; (2) correlation of the sites of action ofthe mitogen with changes in RNA, DNA and protein synthesis by (See Continuation Sheet) pL yqibl RX-7