C € ¢ ~~” ‘ a: SUMMARY OF THE 20TH POST EXPOSURE MEDICAL SURVEY OF THE RONGELAP AND UTIRIK PEOPLE The twenty year survey was highlighted by several special examinations and the use for the first time of an LCU newly acquired by the AEC for medical and radiological surveys in the Marshall Islands. In addition to routine medical examinations several special medical studies were conducted, a thyroid reserve study and a diabetic and genetic study. Radiological surveys including personnel monitoring by y-spectroscopy and environmental radiation studies were carried out at Uticik, Rongelap and Bikini. Results of these examinations must be considered quite preliminary at this time. The survey team consisted of 19 members: from the U. S. - 4 M.D.'s, 2 P.H.D.'s and 7 technical specialists; from the Trust Territory 1 M.D., lL practitioner, lL Medex and 3 technicians. Also Mr. William Streenan from the AEC and Mr. John Rosario representing the Congress of Micronesia accompanied the team. On the LCU there were 8 men in the crew plus a cook and as assiStant making a tctal of 31 pecple on the ship. Medical examinations were conducted on a total of about 500 people at Majuro March 18-23, at Ebeye (Kwajalein) March 25-29; April 11-15. then via LCU co Utirik April 1-3, Rongelap, April A roster of team personnel is attached. 5-10 and Bikini, Village meetings were held act Utirik and Rongelap during which the objectives of the survey were discussed, team members introduced and questions answered. The meeting at Utirik was pleasant and uncomplicated, but the Rongelap meeting was disappointing in that there were questions presented by the Rongelap Fallout durvivors Association whicn indicated continued misuuderstanding acout the medical examinations and results. A transcript of this village meeting is attached. It appears that there must have been outside influence in presenting the questions since the people could not have read our reports, those of the medical observers or the Congress of Micronesia since they have not been translated into Marshallese. Further education of the people is necessary and a booklet written in Marshallese is being prepared by the Trust Territory which will help answer many of their questions. Support of the medical surveys voiced Last year at Rongelap by Senator Borja and Congressman Balos needs further reinforcement by these congressmen. SURVEY FINDINGS Thyroid. Two additional exposed Rongelap people were found to have thyroid nodules, one in a 45-year old woman exposed on Ailingnae Island (whole body ganna dose estimated at 69 rads) and in a 20-year old boy who was exposed the end of the second trimester. The Latter case is interesting the first thyroid abnormality developing in any of the four in- ee) There was also one unexposed 4l-year old Rongelap je utero exposed children. a2 wr (7) in-utero near since this is