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evident that the life siortering is some function of the dose of radiation,
extrapoletion from nice toman is extrenely difficulty.
However, the
It is unlikely that any good
statistical analysis can be made on the Marshallese because of the small numbers of
individuals and the uncertainty of the precise birthdete in the older sroups.
There
has been one death in the Rongelap group who at autopsy showed evidence of heart disease.
In the larger group from Utirik there heave been five deaths.
The mumber of
deaths 4s comparable in both groups one having received 175 r ani the latter only
14 r.
To date one must conclude that there las been no significant evidence for
prenature ageing or shortening of the life span of the Marshallese.
Leuxemia and Cancer
Loukenia is one of the things thet is know to have occurred in the Japanese
and is prevalent in irradiated laboratory animals.
To date no leukemia has occurred
enj there is no evidence of leukemic tendencies, This 1s being studied intensively
ty the uso of alkaline phosphatase studies on the granulocytes and besophile counts
on the blood,
It has been shown by the studies of Moloney et al., in Jepan that a
tasophilia and decrease in alkaline phosphatase precedes the development of leukenia,.
Genetic Effects
The small nuaber of individuals involved and the inadequate vital statistics
make it difficult to determine genetic changes.
It is certain that there have been
no abnormalities in the first generation of babies.
The umlesireable aspects for
genetic studies are in part offset by the teniency of ccnsanguinous marriages that
are prevalent among the Marshallese.
From this stasipoint genetic effects may
eevelop and are being sought.
Lonz Term Frfrects of Internally Deposited Radionuclides
The very small aucuits of radioactive meterials that are deposited internally
ure Dy themselves inadequate to produce serious long tern effects,
Fowever the sub-
ject is complicated by the fact that the individuals had e substantial initial insult —
fron whole body radiation,
In addition to the whole body radiation the thyroid gland
ROEarc
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