it was likely that another 75 rads of laboratory, or X-radiation, would have
caused some deaths.
The report concluded that the minimum lethal dose for ran
was probably 225 rads in a fallout field.
consistently, with acknowledgments,
The "best estimate" figure was used
for a period covering ten vears.
In 1964,
undoubtedly as a result of the first findings of thyroid nodules, a recalculation was carried out.
This recalculation, by one Ralph A. James of the
Lawrence Radiation Laboratory of the University of California, was interesting
for two reasons.
First,
in earlier calculations of the fallout,
the dose of the cloud
passing over the island could not be calculated (1956 report).
including the dose from the cloud.
This review took
into account the dose delivered as the radioactive particles passed over the
islands.
James,
in his exposition, noted that the exact method of arriving
Bea
calculation was made,
ered
in 1964, because of evidence from tests conducted after 1958, a re-
fe
later,
Ten years
at the original 175 rad estimate for the people of Rongelap was "not given’
change or alter this amount for individuals who might have remained indoors,
noted that the probable dose was 175 rads, plus or minus 25 rads.
The second reason this recalculation was so important was because it dealt
with and partially explained the reasons for the late development of thyroid
nodules.
This second aspect of the recalculation involved the amount or
feeey
~~
93
wir wo
in allowing for factors which might
owe
then,
Hanregee®
James,
orem
rads, a total of 208 rads.
al
rads; cloud passage, 47 rads; and from the fallout during cloud passage, 47
woe
114
|
from time of beginning to time of end of fallout,
[
James' recalculation included dose received
tae @
(based on 12 hours)
(36, p. 79).
eed
from fallout"
=o
and that it apparently did not include "the dose from the cloud, but only
ee