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