13
‘
‘
wer
wt
Ns
-&
~~
.
oe
“Tre
-
yf
se 4.
0S
-
ort ay
,
»
vp TOMoe 20
.
aie
“, wv we
t.,
=
-*
a?
se
tre SS
’
a ae Le
tee nn: HES
oe alienstine
v Figure 9. Early beta burns ofskin (x 100), showing extensive transepidermal damage, with milder damage to
dermis showingcellular infileration.?
Table 7
4
maces
ee
yee
apt Sion ¥
co
Epilation in Rongelap Group??
bod
Incidence, %
Severity of epilation
Slight (1+)
Moderate (2 +)
Severe (3+ )
Total
.
.
(13)
7.6.
38.6.
53.8
100.0
Ageédtol5
Age >16
38.4
13.8
92.1
27.6
(13)
30.7
23.0
(38)
3.3
8.3
usually more severe, often with bullae formation;
showing wet desquamation.?
eeecees
aes. Te
"
AgeOto5
:
:
they made walking painful and in somecases involved secondary infections. Mostof the lesions
healed rapidly, with repigmentation.
Microscopic studies and numerous skin biopsies
during the acute stages of the lesions revealed
marked epidermal injury with considerable atrophyand flattening of rete pegs, cells with pleomorphic nuclei, pyknosis and cytoplasmic halos,
and giantcells (see Figure 9). Cells laden with pigment were frequently present throughoutthe epidermis, probably accountingfor the gross pigmentation of the lesions. Severe damage to the dermis
and blood vessels was not observed.
An unusual observation was the developmentof
transient bluish-brown pigmentation of the semi-
lunar areas of the fingernails and toenails, first
noted about 3 weeks post exposure in most of the
Rongelap and Ailingnae people and seen, among
the American group, only in Negroes. The cause
of this pigmentation remains obscure.
Since no specific treatmentis known for beta
burns,the lesions were treated by cleansing and
use of ointments andlotions for symptomatic re-
\
5 0 ( U |
igure 8 Foot lesions at 29 days, showing deep involve-
ment between firse and second toes.?
PRIVACY ACT:MATERIAL REMOVED