a en te al
cell mass and/or plasma volume. However, there
among the older group. This creates certain diffhculties in interpreting someof the studies to be outlined.
4, The conditionsof field examinations naturally
limit the procedures and methods that can be used.
establish the relationship of blood volume to lean
COMPARISON POPULATIONS
Blood volume studies with °*'Cr-labeled sodium
chromate showeda significant reduction in red
is some indication that Americansliving in the
Islands for more than 1 year mayalso haveslightly
lowered values. Tritiated water has been used to
‘body mass. Further studies on blood volume determinationsare presented later.
OTHER BACKGROUND INFORMATION
As mentioned in previous reports, several difficulties were associated with carrying out the examinations as well as interpreting the findings.
1. The language barrier made examinations
difficult, since very little English is spoken by the
Marshallese. However, there were sufficient En-
glish-speaking Marshallese to assist the medical
team in most instances.
2. The lack of vital statistics or demographic
data on the Marshallese imposes a serious difficulty in interpretation and evaluation of the medi- ~
cal data. Trust Territory officials are attempting
to improve registration of such data.
3. There is uncertainty on the part of someof
the Marshallese as to their exact ages, particularly
Duringthefirst 2 years, two separate groups of
Marshallese people were used for comparison,
each comparablein size with the exposed Rongelap group and matchedfor age and sex. However,
both groups were found to be unstable, with a
large attrition rate over the 2 years, which made
them unsatisfactory. At the time of the 3-year survey, it was found that during the preceding 12
months the Rongelap population at Majuro Atoll
had doubled becauseofthe influx of relatives who
had come back from otherislands to live with
them. These people had been away from Rongelap
Atoll at the time of the accidental exposure. This
group matched reasonably well for age and sex
and was of comparablesize. Since the return of
the people to Rongelap, however, this group has
about doubled in size. Table 2 shows the various
Marshallese populations that have been examined
since 1954.
Table 2
Marshallese Populations Examined Since 1954
Group
Original number
in group
Number
Frequency
living (1966)
of exams
Subject
Nos.
Exposed
Rongelap*
Ailingnae**
Uutirik
67
38
157
133
99
168+
19
Annual
13
Annual
3-4 vears
l-
1-
86
86
2101-2257
Unexposed
Rongelap
Rita
Mayjuro
57
115
‘
Annualsince 1957
1955-1956
1954 only
801-1073
1000-1082
700- 800
Children Conceived After the Fallout
Of exposed parent(s)
Of unexposed parents
*Includes 3 un” utero children.
**Includes | zn utero child.
5008252
63tT
60
104
Annual
Annual
87- 151
801-1073
tIindividuals have been added since 1957 when this group was first available.
tt Live births.