21
mulative percentage of neutrophils, lymphocytes,
and platelets at various times. From these datait
|
{
|
|
RCV =0.08 +0.0474 (TBW}
BV 0.647 +0.115 (TBW)
|
Moore | RCV=0.158 +0.05296 (TBW)
BV =0.5337 +0.0767(TBW)
Marshallese RCV = —0.1749-+0.0441(TBW)
Caucasians
in Pacific
_crit, and hemoglobin determinations, erythropoietic function has been about the samein the ex-
Volume, liters
posed and in the comparison population. Thelag
this contention.
t
Sic [ BY =0.91 +0.090 (TBW)
after exposure. Since that time the levels in the exposed group have been about the sameas in the
unexposed group. Onthe basis of RBC, hemato-
velopmentofa case of leukemiatend to support
T
Regression lines
appears that hemopoietic recovery in the exposed
groups was incomplete during the first 15 years
in recovery of leukocytes and platelets may represent residual bone marrowinjury. Theresults of
bone marrow and chromosomestudies and the de-
|
BV 1.2101 +0.0792 (TBW)
RCV =0,19947 +0.0419 (TBW) ,
6b
cd
s+
a
4
po
=
Although bone marrow examinations at 6
3
4
ities, smears on four exposed Rongelap people 10
years later showed alteration in the myeloid-
2h
-
3. Bone Marrow
months post exposure showed no gross abnormal-
erythroid ratio in three of them, manifested by an
increased numberof red cell precursors. In additon to hyperplasia, the findings included abnor-
malities of chromatin material with double nuclei
and an increased numberof mitotic figures in the
normoblastic series (see Figures 14 and 15).11 Occasionally, bilobed lymphocytes have been noted
in the peripheral biood of some exposed people.
4. Other Hematological Findings
Total blood volume and red cell volume were
studied 10 years after exposure.!1* No differences
were found between exposed and unexposed Rongelap groups, but it was noted that blood volume
and red cell volume tended to be reduced in many
Marshallese compared with Americans?(see Figure 16).!2 Several other hematological observations, not related to radiation exposure, were noted.
Eosinophilia >5% in more thanhalf the peopie
has been a consistentfinding. This could be accounted for only partly on the basis of intestinal
parasitism and maybe related also to numerous
fungus infections of the skin and other chronic infections. Other findings possibly related to chronic
infections are above-normail sedimentationrates
and high gamma globulin levels (both tending to
increase with age). Varying degrees of anemia
have been seen occasionally, particularly in wo-
“These studies were done by Dr. L.M. Meyer, Veterans Ad-
ministration Hospital, Brooklyn, N.Y., and Dr. W.E. Sin, University of California at Berkeley.
IE
|
W.Siri
"agp CELL VOLUME
ae
2-°" F. Moore
0
1
10
[
20
=
—-— Caucasians
LL
30
l
40
in Pacific
Total body water,liters
J
50
60
Figure 16.
men of childbearing age. Price Jones sizing of red
cells in these cases showeda slight microcytic tendency.§ Iron deficiency apparently was not the cause
since serum iron usually was in the normal range.
Reticulocyte counts have not beensignificantly
increased in either the exposed or unexposed pop-
ulation. Macrocytic anemia has not been seen.
Vitamin By levels have been unusuaily high in
the Marshailese’; the cause of this is unknown but
does not appearto berelated to liver disease or
leukemia. The sickling trait has not been seen in
the Marshallese examined.
D. SUBSEQUENT COURSE OF SKIN LESIONS
The residual skin lesions noted in the Rongelap
and Ailingnae people since the initial lesions are
listed in Table 13. During the first year many of
the healed areas, particularly on the back of the
neck, showed a roughening (rugosity) and bluishblack pigmentation, which becameless noticeable
with time (see Figures 17 and 18). Deeperlesions
exhibited early residual scarring andlack ofpig-