4094S
BROOKHAVEN NATIONAL LABORATORY
ASSOCIATED
“"

UNIVERSITIES, INC.

UPTON, LI. N.Y. 11973

REFER:

TEL, AREA CODE S16 YAPHANK 4-6262
MEDICAL DEPARTMENT

November &, 1968

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The Honorable William R. Norwood
High Commissioner

Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands

Saipan, Mariana Islands

96950

:

Dear Mr. Norwood:
This letter outlines plans for the forthcoming annual medical
survey of the Marshallese people exposed to fallout in 1954. In
addition plans are included torinitiating base line studies of the
Bikini people for their body burden of radioactive elements. In
the hope that these plans meet with your approval I am sending copies
of this letter to various Trust Territory personnel concerned with
implementing the plans, principally your Director of Public Health
Dr. Peck, DISTAD Marshalls Mr. Heine, and Director of Public Health
Marshalls Dr. Iaman.
Extent of Survey, It is planned to carry out complete examinations
on the exposed and unexposed Rongelap people, the latter serving as the
control population. These people (some 250) are located primarily at
Rongelap and Ebeye with a smaller number at Majuro. A few living on
outlying islands probably cannot be examined. Also planned are examinations on the Utirik population (some 100 people) living at Utirik and
Ebeye.
Personnel. It is requested that the Trust Territory furnish the
following medical personnel: Dr. Peck has indicated an interest in
accompanying the group and he would be most welcome; a practitioner Dr. Hicking experienced in previous surveys would also be most welcome;
Mr. Ernest Libby whose services in photography and x-ray are most important; 3 lab technicians - particularly Sebio Shoniber and Nelson
Zetkia at Majuro who have been extremely valuable in the past and 1
other technician would be most helpful (if Kosang Mizutoni were available
his services would be most welcome). A Marshallese cook would be necessary.
From the U.S. I have been most fortunate in getting Dr. Brown Dobyns
a thyroid expert from Cleveland to participate and Dr. W. Sutow pediatrician
from M. D. Anderson Hospital has agreed to participate again. Also
Dr. John Bateman at this laboratory, an expert in the field of radiation

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