the “normal” range for dividual counts by the eighth Or ninth week, sedher ol these values
for erther the high or tow exposure groups fad returned ta Che mean levels of any at the contrat
populations Fisted in Table 4.00 aC this trae, nor by the end of the study af fo weeks.* ©)
Lymphocyte counts eeniuined depressed at least Uhrourh the P2th week vad probably Cheouph
the {5th week.
,
The present finds in the Marshallese are in accord with these characteristics, namely,
a) total white cell and neutrophile counts showed no definite minimum at four weeks as evidenced in Japanese groups A to D, but rather fluctuated during the first few weeks with minimum mean counts occurring in the sixth week or later, b) Neutrophile couafs were unstable
over thefirst five weeks, and recovery to control levels was not complete 3 the 10th week,
¢) Lymphocyte counts remained depressed throughout the period of observation, |
Platelet data in the Japanese are not sufficient to allow more than rough qualitative camparisons, This is unfortunate since changes in platelet counts in the present studies appeared
:
.
to show a more consistent pattern than did the leukocyte counts. Platelet counts on one individual considered as atypical response in a non fatal Japanese indicated an appacent low at approxumalely day 30. This time trend agrees with that seen in the Marshatlese and Americans
exposed to fallout radiation,
His worthy of note that the period of peak incidence of purpura in the Japanese vietims oc curred between the 25th and 30th day, which corresponds to the time ofMmaximum platelet depression in the exposed Marshallese,
4.13.4
Comparison with Data from Laboratory Accidents
Although in the Los Alamos and Argonne accidents: the type of radiation and the conditions of exposure were markedly different from eitherxthe Japanese or the Rongelapsituations,
a large component of penetrating gamma radiation was received and thus attempts at comparison may be of value. Some findings in the hematological responses are pointed out: a) a
uniform early rise in white and neutrophile counts over the first few days, similar to that seen
early in the Rongerik American group was observed uniformly.t b) Of three high-exposure but
non-lethal cases, the total white and Jeukocyte counts continued to show some degree of de-
pression into the seventh week or beyond. c) The lymphocyte counts in individuals exposed to
as little ag 50 rem showed aninitial marked depression. In most cases: the lymphocyte counts
remained at low levels throughout the period of observation. d) Platelet counts were done by
a different method, and absolute counts are therefore not comparable. However, of the three
high-dose survivors, times of maximum depression were not inconsistent with the vaiue of 30
days obtained in the present studies.
aa
hme
iE be .
neal
mt ,
ee
ay ne
a“
The Argonne Laboratory aceident® involved four individuals who were estimated to have
received 136, 127, 60, and 9 rep, respectively. The findings in the two highrst exposed individuals in general were consistent with those in the present study. An initfal neutrophilic leuko-
cytosis was followed by fluctuationa in total count, with low values continuing into the seventh
week. Recovery was not complete by the 20th week. The lymphocyte count depression was
rapid and marked, and recovery was not evident by the 20th week. Minimum values for the
platelet count were obtained between the 25th and 31st day.
4.13.5
Comparison with Animal Data
The time trends and severityof peripheral blood count change following total body radiation in animals has been criticalltexamined recently," and the following general conclusions
‘are presented.
*Counts 2 years later were nat significantly different from control Japanese values.”
fCounts on the Rongelap people 6 months after exposure showed noelevation of the mean
total white count, neutrophile or lymphocyte counts over values obtained during the 10th week.
No counts were taken on the Rongelap and Ailinginae groups during this early period.
85
i