00776. Reprinted From the Journal of the American Medical Association May 10, 1965, Vol. 192, pp. 457-459 Copyright 1965, by American Medical Association mortality has been about the same as in the comparison population. No definite radiation effects on birth rate, aging, leukemia, malignancy, or genotype have been noted. en vears have passed since the people of the Marshall islands were accidentally exposed to fallout radiation’: complete reports have been pub- lished covering findings of the annual medical surveys. The accident occurred March 1, 1954, following the detonation of a high-yield nuclear device during experiments at Bikini in the Pacific proving grounds, when an unpredicted shift in winds caused deposition of significant amounts of faliout on four inhabited atolls to the east. The Table shows the groups of people involved, the number in each group, and the extent of the fallout and exposure. The present report summarizes the medical findings over a ten-year period of the 82 people of Rongelap Island who were exposed. Theinitial Summary of Fallout Effects Group* Rongelap . Composition 64 Marshallese Ailingnae 18 Marshallese Fallout Observed Heavy (snow-like) Moderate (mist-like) Moderate Rongerik 28 Americans Utirik 157 Marshallese None (mist-like) the first six weeks following exposure, followed by gradual but incomplete recovery. The depression of blood elements was insufficient to result in infections or bleeding, and the radiation dose that they had sustained fortunately proved to be sublethal. No specific therapy was necessary. A slight loss in weight was noted in more than half of the people during the first six weeks, but the possible effects of change of environment could not be ruled out. Beta radiation burns of the skin and epilation of the scalp were widespread, particularly in the more heavily exposed group. Most of the lesions were superficial but some showed deeper ulceration. Most of them healed within a few weeks with only slight residual changes and regrowth of hai air was compllete si ete by Dy Six MOntths. ns SO RLYEb; Y ' T T ¥ TT T 4 CONTROL z + EXPOSED, TIME OF MAXIMUM DEPRESSION ul 2 100 [( 31-89 DAYS) TT T t 4 (arse Oars) | (26 - 30 DATS) 78 Slight 14 No skin lesions or epilation 4 | 2 = 40+ > © = oo a, BOF 4 4 4 + + 4 4 20+ 0 =a tt 4. 4. i L 20 40 60 80 NEUTS «1075 LL. al —_————}, 20 40 LYMPHS x 1073 Oo 1 1 i 1 AWOLISOd3u ING SdMNODF7M em pe oSee CE le A apowig t re) > te 60F vfther T E & From the MedicalResearch Center, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY (Dr. Conard), and the Department of Medical Services, Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Saipan, Mariana Islands (Mr. Hicking). Reprint requests to Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY 11973 (Dr. Conard). &T ® EXPOSED, TEN YEARS POST EXPOSURE Less extensive ¢ “Also exposed were 23 Japanese fishermen who received a sublethal ose. TTF NOILOATIOD --SGNY7S1. THYHSIYW Initial Findings During the first 24 to 48 hours about two thirds of the Rongelap people experienced anorexia and nausea, a few vomited and had diarrhea, and many complained of irritation of the skin and eyes. These symptoms, however. subsided within a few days. Depression of lymphocytes and neutrophils to about half and the platelets to about one third the levels of the unexposed population occurred during T Estimated Gamma Dose Extent of (Rads) Skin Lesions 175 Extensive 69 have served as a comparison population. tt were ee riages in exposed women during the first four years; in- complete recovery of some of the peripheral blood elements; and increased nevus-like lesions in areas of previous beta radiation burns of the skin. General health and with the exposed group to their home island and PRYYsarasoy prorma yy oUL possible residual radiation effects noted in the 86 exposed Rongelapese were as follows: slight retardation of statural growth and bone maturation in boys exposed at less than 5 years of age; greater incidence of miscar- SU Togeny usaue iPOULT nodules were detected in 75 unexposed children. Other up examinations. A group of relatives, away from the island at the time of the accident, returned a a radioiodines absorbed.) No thyroid i rads, largely from Ld70 (The thyroid dose received was estimated at about 1,000 findings are only briefly reviewed, greater emphasis being placed on the findings of more recent follow- YAON MONT Sy ory ‘usd Benign thyroid nodules were removed from three teenage Rongelap girls ten years after exposure from fallout. snaleyoiishid Robert A. Conard, MD, and Arobat: Hicking Fal ease Results From a Ten-Year Study cheteet. Exposed to Fallout Radiation SSL. ~ bb9 + w30104 Medical Findings in Marshallese People TWIUSW ‘ON XO AQLE97 1 20 40 60 PLATELETS x107* 1. Cumulative percent distribution curves of neutrophils, lymphocytes, and platelets. a FY JAMA, May 10, 1965 e Vol 192; Ng q fe mid