—4~
During the stay at Rongelap I went by helicopter to Naen Island
to examine plant life for possible radiation effects. I had been told
by Mr. Morriss that the coconut trees on this island showed most effect.
I walked over the island seeing most of the palm trees and other plant
life. It appeared to me that some of the coconut palms showed certain
amormalities such as a twisted deformity in the upper part of the
trunk just below the crown; two trees showed double crowns and several
trees showed a yellowing and wrinkling of the fronds. I did not notice
such effects on trees around Rongelap Island. Pictures of these abnormalities were taken. I am not prepared to say whether these were
radiation effects or were due to aridity of the island or other
factors. I will discuss these findings with Dre Arnold Sparrow
here at Brookhaven and will show him the pictures when they are
developed, I will also forward these pictures to DBM as soon as
they are available.
The examinations of the people at Rongelap went quite satisfactorily.
One complete blood count vas taken and nmost of those showing atnornal
counts had a second count done. Physical examinations did not reveal
anything unusual. One case of cancer has developed in a 61 year old,
exposed woman (now living at Ebeye).
This is the only case of malig-
Nancy we have thus far found. I ama little concerned about the number
of miscarriages and stillbirths that have occurred in the Rongelap
people and ;411 attempt to evaluate this further.
(No cases of
miscarriage or stillbirth were reported in the Utirik people since
our last examination in 1957.)° Some 150 people were counted in the
steel room and about 50 samples of urine were obtained for radiocheni-=
cal analysise The food collections proved very disappointing due to
the fact that the people to a large extent had been eating C rations
since the past summer. These rations are being furnished by the Trust
Territory, one case per person per month, It was therefore difficult
to find any typical meal which did not include largely rice and C
rations.
However, pandanus, coconut, papaya,
tained for analysis.
squash, etc. were ob~
Mr. Richard Umhoefer, Trust Territory representative, was flown to
Rongelap on 15 March to act as Trust Territory representative on our
trip to Utirik. We departed for Utirik 17 March in the evening, ar=
riving there on the 18th. The passage into Utirik lagoon and beaching
wasz a treacherous operation. Ingenious use was made of the helicoptere
It flew ahead of the ship and dropped snoke flares on either side of
the channel and near dangerous coral heads to guide the ship in.
By contrast our reception at Utirik was considerably warner than at
Rongelap. The Utirik children were exanined for crowth and develop=
ment and many people were counted in the steel room. In addition
sone blood samples were obtained for blood grouping studies. A clinic
was held for treatment of Utirik people and it was noted that they
seened to be generally in good health. On completion of the exanina=tions on 20 March, a going-avway party was held for the people, the
ship furnishing Koolaid, and we furnished small gifts of soap, cigarettes,
etc. Songs sung by the Utirik people were recorded on tape and played
back to them nuch to their delight.
There appeared to be no question
of maintaining rapport with the people of Utirik.
US DOE ARCHIVES
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