died from leukemia that may or may not have been related to radiation ex pusure; bransporbiliad By 1957, radiological surveys indicated that, in spite of slight lingering radioactivity, Rungelap Atoll was safe for habitation, A completely new village was constructed, and ia July the Rongelap people, more than doublea in number by the influx of relatives, were taken there on an LST with all their personal belongings, bed mats, andlivestock, Afler arriva! ceremonies they happily setiled deteriorated; aad political interference was started which has been particularly frustrating and bas threatened ta puta stop to the medical supervision and care provided te the exposed people by the medical team, la 1972, following the death from leukemia, the decision was made that more frequacnt bematologscal examinations of the expused people were the survey was carried out for the first time at Rongelap; subsequent annual examinations have been dune mostly at Rongelap with supplementary visits tu other islanls. ‘The Utirik people, after the initial examina. needed, and therefore such examinations were in stituted every September ta addition to the March survey, Also in 1972, the decisien was mide to place a resident physictaa inthe Marshall stands. An in- lions, were nest examined on Cheir hose island ia surgical intervention, and niany of then were not adhering strictly to the thyroid Greatiment proeran, which is considered extremely mapartant, especially after surgery, A resident physician would be able toa monitor tus progesm and. since ihe ed . people dave moved in large numbers to the disict centers at Majuro and: particularly Ebeve (Kwajalein Atoll), where many are eniploved by he Kwajalein Missile Range. This had necessi- Vrust Territory was short on medical personnel, could coatin geacral health care of the Rongclap and Uernk people. Vhe plan is for such a phvsickin to ablernate beoween BND and the Miarshiall bs. tated exsiminstions at Majure and Ebeve in adadition ta they home islands. (Vable | shows the present geographical distribution of the people.) lands every two vears. Vhe first one his just completed a 2-year term, and another as taking his place soon, The manystudies that have been dane on the Marshallese ace directly or tadireeily related to posible radiation cilecu. Often a single blood san ‘Transportation has always been a niajor prob. Jena fur the medical survey teams. Nir tranpporta- Hon to the Paciic iaproved greatly with ube advent ple drawn for routine hematulogy has been wed for tnany tosis. Multiple blood sampling has been avaided whenever possible. ' oft the jet pline, but travel by ship among the Mare shall [slau(seseral hundred ales beuveen atolls C. 1970-1974 SURVEYS During the past 3 vears a mimber of problems have geben: thyroid abnorimnalines comtinued ta develop in the exposed Rongelap people inspite of hormone Ueatinest, ag exposcd Rangelap boy through rough seas) has remained dificult, Vhe travel problem has been maunitied by the nerd foe the resident physician to visi Kongelag and Gainik quaricrly, and by the added responsibility of the inedical team, since POT 1, for radiation monitoring af Bikiad aad mere recently of Eniwetok, sinee the people dixplaced by the bomb texting program are ‘Valle | rs aeoerke lonation ed Rangelap and Craik Peopte, fT t * tase the tan,4 . oe developing thyreid nodules, most of which required once every S$ years because their falluut exposure wats miaiimal, The American servicemen have not been seen by our medical team since the mitial eSalina lions, During recent veans the Rongelap and Uiirik Kougelap aarik Miurjures Pheve Mebind Ohler "Vestal Kongelap espescd s] - d 2 - in tt Rongelop unexpe med AG - - th It on 7 - rl 14) a| hu tig il we bl 7 3 SES Crth expamed ethssgalveot creasing nuinber of exposed Rongelap people were 1937. Vhey have since been examined ooly about HOF Veit to hh ee WkFRAl em an EN ne oe 1 s ’ + t ven idee eek Ld Nb TP pillStet! down to life in their new village. [a March 1958 Tosal Hh wl