A.
Early Observations
Whole-body gamma exposure in the Rongelap and to a lesser extent in the
Ailingnae people resulted in transient anorexia, nausea, and vomiting. Depression of blood leukocytes and platelets to about half normal levels by 4 to 6
weeks was not accompanied by any detectable increase in infections or bleeding
tendency, and there was no associated mortality. The exposed Utirik population had no early gastrointestinal symptoms, and only a slight depression of
blood platelets was detectable on a statistical basis. Recovery of blood elements to near normal levels was evident by one year, though a slight continuing lag in complete recovery was noted in the Rongelap people during the
first decade.
Fallout deposition on the skin resulted in transient superficial radiation ("beta") burns and spotty epilation of the head in about 90% of the
Rongelap people. Skin findings were less prevalent in the Ailingnae people
and absent in the Utirik group.
Of the spectrum of radionuclides absorbed internally, only the isotopes
of iodine exceeded the maximum permissible concentration and resulted in detectable effects later. No early symptoms due to the internally absorbed nuclides were noted. Radiochemical urine analyses at 6 months showed the presence of barely detectable radioactivity.
B.
Late Observations
The general health of the exposed Marshallese people (except for abnor-
malities associated with thyroid injury) has remained good and about the same
as that observed in the unexposed populations examined. Vital statistics suggest that mortality and fertility rates have been about the same in the exposed as in the unexposed people. During the first four years there appeared
to be an increase in incidence of miscarriages and stillbirths in the exposed
Rongelap women, but this observation was uncertain in view of the small numbers involved. Genetic studies and examinations of the newborn did not reveal
any detectable abnormalities in the children of exposed parents that might
have been related to radiation exposure. Probably related to radiation exposure was the finding of a slight increase in chromosomal aberrations in the
lymphocytes of some Rongelap people at 10 years after exposure. No increase
in degenerative diseases (cardiovascular, arthritis, neuromuscular) or dia-
betes has been detected in the exposed people. Ophthalmological examinations
(including slit-lamp studies) have not shown any remarkable differences in eye
abnormalities between exposed and unexposed groups. No radiogenic cataracts
have been noted.
In 1972 a Rongelap male, exposed at one year of age, died of acute
myelogenous leukemia, and another Rongelap male died from carcinoma of the
stomach.
These diseases may have been related to radiation exposure.
No
other malignancies (except for thyroid carcinoma) have been noted which were
likely to be related to radiation exposure. No skin malignancies have been
detected.
The most widespread late effect of fallout exposure in the Marshallese
has been the development of thyroid abnormalities - benign and malignant neoplasms and hypofunction of the gland.
nanan
These, as well as growth retardation
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