UNITED STATES “ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION WASHINGTON. D.C. 20545 MOVE? by 4h Chairman Seaborg Commissioner Commissioner ae Commissioner Commissioner Ramey Johnson ‘ Costagliola Thompson a é 45s [3 Ld Le aye oimugfGeneral Manager CURRENT MEDICAL STATUS OF MARSHALLESE Dr. Robert Conard of the Medical Department of Brookhaven National Laboratory, on returning from his annual medical examination of the Marshallese exposed to fallout following the March 1, 1954, test at Bikini, has reported the data summarized in the enclosed table, Retrospective estimates of the internal dose to the thyroids from absorbed radioiodines add 600 to 1400 rems to the 175 rad external dose, Analogous internal doses for the fourteen Marshallese (six children and eight adults) who happened to be on nearby Ailinginae Atoll at the time of fallout are not available, Dysfunction of the thyroid gland continues to appear in these people at rates far greater than would appear by chance. Dr. Conard will provide continued medical surveillance of the Marshallese with the concurrence of the newly appointed High Commissioner, the Honorable Edward E, Johnston, and the assistance of the staff of the Trust Territory and Brookhaven National Laboratory. As indicated in the enclosed table, it is planned that three children and one adult (plus an interpreter) will go to Brookhaven for evaluation and possible surgery, probably in August. A public announcement concerning the status of the Marshallese may be prepared by Brookhaven at that time, h lan Se o . ' 7 . ‘ intOres OD CT ro ROE ~~. John R, Totter, Director Division of Biology and Medicine Enclosure: Data on Medical Survey aa