TITLE
Medical Studies of the People
of the Marshall Islands Accidentally
Exposed to Fallout

BUDGET AND REPORTING CODE
HA-02-01-01

CONTRACTOR NAME

CODE

Associated Universities, Inc.

BNL

20.

Detail Attachments.

cont.

f.

Technical Progress.

cont.

Expected Progress
unexposed person

in FY

from Wotje).

1981.
The

03/31/81.

WP NUMBER

TASK NO.

REV. NO.
0

conc.
three ¢xposed were brought

to BNL on January &,

1981 and were operated on in Cleveland the week of January 12th.

benign,- and one was

DATE PREPARED

Two tumors were

an adenocarcinoma.

To date, summaries of pertinent diagnoses of all exposed personnel have been
completed and will be forwarded to the resident physician and to Majuro after the
exposure history and other pertinent data are microfiched.
The examination of large numbers of Bikini people and extension of surveys to
Wotje, Likiep, and other atolls cannot be undertaken without additional funding
for BNL.
It is probably unwise for BNL to undertake such epidemiologic surveys.
The study of the Bikini people resident at Ejit and Ebeye is reasonable if planned
ahead.
The entire BNL program should be revised if and when the Burton Bill is
implemented, to assure thac there is no duplication and that the programs
complement each other.
Expected Progress

in FY 1982.

In view of the serious late effects of fallout exposure, continued medical
surveillance of the exposed populations is mandatory as the studies are still in
the latent period of a number of significant carcinomas.
Special examinations for
the thyroid abnormalities,

as well as

even though

is

for neoplasia of other organs and

tissues,

and other late effects, must be continued.
In light of the recent renewal of
interest of long-term effects of ‘low level" radiation, the data from this study,
the population

small,

should

serve as

one of

the

longest pro-~

spective studies of the effects of both acute high level and long-term low level
external and internal radiation.
Other studies to be pursued include:
a) thyroid
comparison studies with thyroid surgery in the United States on unexposed Rongelap
and Utirik people in the extended comparison study where such surgery is
indicated; b) reevaluation of dosimetry of the Utirik people, including thyroid
doses; c) study of the nature and the treatment of diabetes in Marshallese to include

trace element analysis of the people and

the echosystem;

d)

studies with Dr.

Raymond A. Popp of Oak Ridge for frequency of isolucine substitution in hemoglobin
of Marshallese blood as an index of somatic mutations associated with radiation
exposure and aging; and e} studies of polymorphism and. rare protein variance in
the blood cells of children of exposed and unexposed parents--Dr.

James

V.

Neel at

the University of Michigan has expanded his battery of tests for these variants
and has agreed to continue these studies on Marshallese children.

Expected Progress in FY 1983.
Continuation of the medical surveys and limited primary care of the

Marshallese is anticipated on an indefinite basis.
examinations
a4

for thyroid abnormalities,

Emphasis will be placed on

the previously-mentioned cancers,

**

HA -0A-/F

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