KTLlUlCUSUC UOBLUlC LC mZ_eOElUMUEeELlLlUCUMECU 52 N-4B The following letter is from Dr. W. H. Adams of Brookhaven National National Laboratory to Dr. Roger Ray of DOE. 2103 July 16, 1985 Hr. Roger Ray Deputy for Pacific Operations Nevada Operations Office Department of Energy P.O. Box 14100 — Las Vegas, NV 89114 Dear Roger: In view of the recent evacuation of Mongelap, which appears to Have been precipitated by concern about harmful residual radioactivity on the dtoll, we have reviewed our medical records to see if there ls any clinical evfdence that supports this conclusion and course of action. Since 1957 an unexposed population of Narshallese of Rongelap aricestry has been examined periodically by the Brcokhaven medical team. This population (the Comparison group) is similar in age and sex distribu ion to the exposed people of Rongelap. The reason for examination of the unexposed group has been to obtain baseline incidences of diseases tn the qenenal Marshallese population as an aid in detection of previously unidenti filed radiation hazards which might affect the exposed group. Collected data on the unexposed people are sufficient toassess [the effect of residence on Rongelap (since 1957) on longevity, thyroid neoplasia, and blood counts. We have done a retrospective analysis of their medical - records; 133 of the group are Ilving and 54 are deceased. We have armitrarily selected for analysis the following divisions of years of residence Rongelap: Short-term Intermediate Long-term - <3 years (average, 1.0 years) 4 = 14 years (average, 7.5 years) >1S years (average, 20.9 years) The place of residence for a given year 1s defined as the place wher an individual received his medical examination. Since there is considenmable migration of Marshallese among the atolls, the site of examination may not always be the same as the site of residence. Overall, however, thera should be a good correlation between the two. TYE Serresamy Togo ee Retr A my ee