18 C. HEMATOLOGICAL FINDINGS Since blood-formingceils are among the most radiosensitive cells in the body, hematological ex- aminations have been emphasized in both exposed and unexposed populations. Evidence of such ' sensitivity in the exposed Rongelap people was provided by the early acute depression of leuko- cytes and platelets and by possible residual effects on hemopoiesis indicated by a lag in recovery of blood elements to the levels of the unexposed population. The developmentof a fatal case of leukemia may also be evidenceofresidual effect. 312 x 7 7 —? 210r 2 ence Haema-Count MK 3 and MK instruments). Reticulccyte and bone marrow examinadons have been done on several occasions by standard procedures. * A numberof special hematological examina- 275 = — a ey O08 peripheral blood srnears. * Dr. B.S. Blumberg, Institute for Cancer Research, Phila- deiphia, did the studies for Australia antigens. SOGbIIS * A * 24 0 56 726123456789 #tl 10 Days Mo — 13 12 15 !4 WV #16 1 Years Time after exposure Figure 10. Mean neutrophil and white ceil counts o. Rongelap people from the time of exposure through 2( years post exposure. Stars represent mean values of comparison population. 0 oo 7 = 8F x 3> 6 au é 2 tneAezz Qed Ped dddse 08 24 40 356 i 726123456789 iit 0 Days Mo t3 12 15 it I? 16 18 Years Time after exposure Figure 11. Mean lymphocyte counts of Rongelap peopi: from cme of exposure through 20 years post exposure Stars represent mean values of comparison populatio- SO TTT oo in later sections, where relevant. **Dr. W. Moloney and Mrs. L. Tullin at Harvard Medical +. & ghitee ett i alkaline phosphatase staining of neutrophils,** analysis for Australiaantigens),’ studies of red cell and plasma volume, chromosome analysis, etc. Plasma andred cell samples have been brought back for special studies in laboratories in the United States. These studies are further discussed School did the alkaline phosphatase staining of neutrophils in o ¥ Neurrophils 3 2 immature forms, basophil counts in 4000 cells, *Mr. N. McDaniel of SUNY at Stony Brook has done thedifferential counts for the past several years. * As tagAS 4 kemia(i.e., special scanning of blood smears for In Figures 10 to 12 the mean blood counts of the combined. (Rongelap and Ailingnae) exposed group are compared with those of the unexposed groupover the 20-year period. Data are listed in Table 12 for the past 5 years, and in Appendix 6 for the enure 20 years. Figure 13 shows the cu- wn * e oo? tions over the years have included tests for leu- 2. Recovery of Hemopoiesis ra = 3! ential white counts, RBC and hematocrit and/or hemoglobin,and platelet counts. Since a case of cameinto use (Coulter counter and General Sci- + = Unnil 1972 yearly measurements were made of peripheral blood elements, including WBC,differ- done under a microscope until electronic means a ¢ = an 1. Procedures leukemia was found in 1972, such measurements have been made twice a year. The counts were r . 40 S x te 70 3 20 3 ae eg ww 10 Q : Males (age >10) | . ay de 08 244056726 12345678349 il 10 Days Mo 13 12 14 157 16 Years Time after exposure Figure 12. Mean platelet counts of Rongelap peopie fron time of exposure through 20 years post exposure. Stars rer resent mean counts ofunexposed comparison population: