7.

Detailed

records

of

the

radiation

exposed

population

and of many

control persons are on file at Brookhaven National Laboratory on Long
Island.
8.

Although Brookhaven National Laboratory has primarily been interested
in the occurrence of radiation exposure and resultant effects, it has
by necessity provided limited primary through tertiary health care.

9.

It appears that all the exposed Marshallese and a significant number of
unexposed

Marshallese

have

had

considerable

alteration

and

interruption of their life patterns due to the nuclear weapons testing
program and subsequent investigation and follow-up.
The

migration

intermarrying

of

of

radiation

exposed

potentially

contaminated

individuals

from

other

and

exposed

non-exposed

foodstuffs
atolls,

persons

(fish

persons,

and

non-exposed

to

atolls,

utilization

fruits)

groups

other

by

of

non-exposed

currently

living

on

affected islands, and uncertain exposure coverage, as well as other factors,
makes it difficult to identify radiation affected individuals.

Additional

issues in providing health care for these people are the following:
1.

Any reasonable means to help the exposed population to feel no

nn

different from the remaining Marshallese is desirable in view of
their past unique treatment, fears, and misunderstanding.
2.

It is

inherently difficult and impractical to distinguish with

any precision in any individual case whether a particular illness
is radiation related or not.
3.
Based

Radiation exposure monitoring is expected to continue.
on

recommendations

the

stated

conclusions

and

other

issues,

the

following

are made with respect to known radiation exposed Marshallese

within a comprehensive Marshall Island health care system:

1.

The health records of each person should be available wherever
they are receiving primary and secondary care.

Routine medical

histories and physical examinations should be directed towards
specific

disease

complexes

known

increased

frequency among radiation

or

suspected

exposed

to

have

individuals

an

(e.g.

thyroid nodules).
2.

Although some continued radiation effect monitoring is necessary,
it appears that the frequency and extent should be tapered with
time.

This monitoring should be as non-disruptive as possible yet

still maintain good follow-up and reasonable acquisition of data.

12

Select target paragraph3