ter ’ RCHIVES {DOB A ‘Ln . oY = ) s) : a _ . UNITED STATES ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 408382 20545 - SEP g 2 1969 \ Mr. Edward J. Bauser Executive Director Joint Committee on Atomic Energy Congress of the United States Dear Mr. Bauser: We wish to report the latest information concerning the medical status of the Marshallese exposed to the fallout from the March 1, 1954, test at Bikini. Diagnoses made by Dr. Robert Conard of Brookhaven National Laboratory at his annual medical reexamination this spring prompted bringing five Marshallese and an interpreter stateside for definitive treatment. They arrived week before last, received their preoperative medical work-up at the Medical Center of Brookhaven National Laboratory, and transferred to the Cleveland Metropolitan General Hospital for surgery by Dr. Brown Dobyns. Details of the present status of the affected Marshallese are shown in the following tabulation which recapitulates past medical thyroid disorders, 1. Young Rongelapese exposed to fallout March 1, 1 to & years of ege, (Estimated dose: 600 to 1400 rem internal irradiation.) 1954, when they were 175 rads external gamma plus *- 1. 2, Total - 19 Currently normal by clinical and biochemical tests, 2 (11%) Currently hypothyroid with minimal nodularity. Responding satisfactorily to oral thyroid hormone therapy. 3, 3 (164) Have undergone surgery in the U. S, because of nodular thyroids; histologic diagnoses of adenomatous goiter and Hirthle cell tumor. Responding satisfactorily to oral thyroid hormone therapy. 11 (58%) BEST COPY AVAILABLE