ceived the largest fallout exposure: an estimated dose of 175 rads of whole-body gamma radiation, contamination of the skin sufficient to result in beta burns, and slight internal absorption of radioactive materials through inhalation and ingestion. Another 18 Rongelap people away on a nearby island (Ailingnae), where less fallout occurred,re- necessary to decontaminate the skin completely (see Figure 2). In view of the generally negative findings on the American servicemen,they were later returned to their duty stations. The Utirik people were also allowed to return to their homeisland, where radio- active contamination wasslight enough to allow safe habitation. Because Rongelap Atoll was considered to be too highly contaminated, a tempo- 0-193 2 ee me DRO _ 7 - 2 ALINGINAE > 2 & UTIRIK oo ~ - . + a ¢ - a. anne - - v7 ws Q 9 MAIJURO S March 1954 to decontaminateskin and hair after fallout contamination. ge TE AT — meena _ -- Frag reer ee det Te Figure 2. Marshallese bathing in lagoon at Kwajalein in cr oo 3 co co cyt Figure 1. Map offallout area, Marshall Islands, March 1, 1954. ° SORdace re vere sai a. : BIKINGoS UE TT TERETE ceere aun em pnoe east, received an estimated 14 rads of whole-body radiation. The fallout was notvisible on this island and no skin effects developed. The exposed people were evacuated from these islands by plane and ship about 2 daysafter the accident and taken to Kwajalein Naval Base about 150 miles to the south, where they received extensive examinationsfor the following 3 months. During this period vigorous efforts were Pa r mrp? nautical miles away from the detonation, 64 re- shallese on Utirik Island, about 200 miles further * RRR Dae. TAieRLa OOOReins achSCE rg pe eo ee Ege after the accident, are presented in this report. These people had been accidently exposedto faliout radiation following a detonation of a high yield thermonuclear device during experiments at Bikini in the Pacific Proving Grounds in March 1954. An unpredicted shift in winds caused a deposition of significant amounts offallout on four inhabited Marshall Islands to the east of Bikini (see Figure 1) and also on 23 Japanese fishermen aboard their fishing vessel, the Lucky Dragon. Of the inhabitants of the island of Rongelap, 105 ca Lat cat Gora.aan > ee ee REN Oe eg RE RRR RINT EET A RE NE The results of a medical survey of the people of Rongelap in the Marshall Islands, carried outin March 1965 and March 1966, 11 and 12 years ceived only an external gamma doseof about 69 rads. There were 28 American servicemen on the island of Rongerik further to the east whoreceived about the same amount of radiation as did the Rongelap people on Ailingnae. Lastly, 157 Mar- RE eTen Ahate Introduction SR RS ar Ser, es a ee MEDICAL SURVEY OF THE PEOPLE OF RONGELAP AND UTIRIK ISLANDS ELEVEN AND TWELVE YEARS AFTER EXPOSURE TO FALLOUT RADIATION (MARCH 1965 AND MARCH 1966)