TITLE Human Health Generation: Effects from Energy Medical Studies of the People of the Marshall Islands BUDGET AND REPORTING CODE . Accidentally Expased to Fallout 03/31/80 = CONTRACTOR NAME CODE Associated Universities, inc. 20a. DATE PREPARED HA-02-01~-01 BNL | WP NUMBER TASK NO. REV. NO. Facility Requirements. It is anticipated that work for this proposal will use existing Laboratory facilities and site utility services. In addition a doctor's office and laboratory has been established on Kwajalein and Ebeye Islands in the Marshall Islands and shipboard support for the medical teams will be required as they visit the outlying islands. The ship provided for the previous year has proven to be inadequate for medical purposes and active consideration is being given to the procurement of a different vessel. The currently used ship is 115' long and is prohibited from “carrying passengers", however when a field survey is conducted up to 35 passengers including patients and medical personnel may have to be carried. Consultationswith shipping experts have indicated that a ship of approximately 185' in length would provide adequate living space for a party of this size. In addition, the ship requires a double (parallel) multiphasic screening examination facility for male and female patients, laboratory space and x-ray area. Active negotiations are underway with the Department of Energy to provide such a vessel. 20b. Publications. a None in FY 1979. In FY 1980, the 25th year Report now in preparation will be published as well as the 26th year Annual Report. 20c. Purpose. years. Post~exposure surveys in the Marshall Islands have been conducted for 25 In addition to the 244 persons originally exposed, a group of unexposed Marshallese are examined for a “comparison population" to assess late effects of radiation from fallout. 20d. Background. The continuing development of thyroid neoplasms, biochemical hypothyroidism and the appearance of one case of acute leukemia, indicate the need for frequent examinations. In addition to routine physical, hematological, and other laboratory examinations, the surveys involve special studies related to aging, malignancy, reproduction, and measurement of body burdens of radionuclides resulting from the slight contamination remaining on the islands. Patients with thyroid nodules are returned to the United States for complete hospitalization and Surgical treatment as indicated. In view of the diverse medical problems and their management, a physician, a Marshallese nurse-practitioner, and a laboratory techniclan are in residence at Kwajalein and make regular trips to Rongelap, Majuro, and Utirik to supervise care and perform interim examinations of the exposed Marshallese. 20e. Approach. The R&D work contemplated shall be conducted in conformance with generally accepted methodology for scientific investigations of this character, as practiced at universities and large independent laboratories including Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL). 1015220 WA-d271