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
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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 +
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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