Introduction
On March 1, 1954, an experimental thermo-
nuclear device was exploded at the U. S.
Atomic Energy Commission’s Eniwetok Prov-
ing Groundsin the Marshall Islands. Following
the detonation, unexpected changes in the wind
structure deposited radioactive materials on
inhabited atolls and on ships of Joint Task
Force 7,
which was conducting the tests.
Radiation surveys of the areas revealed radia-
tion levels above permissible levels; therefore,
evacuation was ordered, and was carried out
as quickly as possible with the facilities available to the Joint Task Force.
Although the calculated accumulated doses
to these people were believed to be below
levels that would produce serious injury or
any mortality, the Commander of the Task
Force requested the Department of Defense
and the U. S. Atomic Energy Commission to
organize a medical team to provide the best
possible care of the exposed persons and to
make a medical study of the exposures.
The medical surveys of the Marshallese
developed by the Joint Task Force 7, Applied
Fisheries Laboratory of the University of
Washington, U. S. Naval Radiological Defense
Laboratory, Health and Safety Laboratory,
New York Operations Office of the Atomic
Energy Commission, and the Office of Naval
Research.
This report was undertaken by Dr. Gordon
M. Dunning at the request of the Atomic
Energy Commission. Dr. Dunning at the
time of the fallout was a representative of the
Division of Biology and Medicine, Atomic
Energy Commission to Joint Task Force 7
and participated in the early surveys and in
the evacuation of the natives of Rongelap and
Utirik Atolls to Kwajalein.
It is hoped that this document will provide
valuable information to those agencies and
persons responsible for planning protection
against radioactive fallout from whatever
source. It not only gives a picture of the
initial contamination, but in addition docu-
ments the radioactive decay as it has occurred
exposed to the fallout from the March 1, 1954
nuclear test detonation at the Eniwetok
Proving Ground, have been published under
the editorship of Dr. Victor P. Bond,’ Dr.
the transfer of radioactive materials from the
soil and water into the food chain.
two surveys, and Dr. Robert Conard,“ who
led the 2-year follow-up study. The present
report brings together the radiological data
Cuanres L. Dunnam, M. D., Director
Division of Biology and Medicine
U. 8. Atomic Energy Commission
Eugene P. Cronkite,* who headed the first
on the Rongelap Atoll over a 2-year period
and thus suggests the developing patterns of