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G 16
UNITED STATES
ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION
WASHINGTON 25, D.C.
a . 83349
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=. 1958
AC3A99
Dear Adeiral Burkes
You will recall that as a result of the March 1 detonation of the CASTLE
test series comincted by JIF-7 in the Facific in 195], the natives of
Rongelap and Utirik Atolls in the Marshall Islands were exposed to radio~
active fallout. The Atomic Energy Comission, on behalf of the U. S.
Government, has accepted responsibility for periodic medical examinations
of these Marshallese,
Since that time there have been five follow-up
medical examinations conducted by the AEC in collaboration with the Naval
Hedical Research Institute, the Naval Radiological Defense Laboratory and
the Brookhaven National Laboratory. These exaninations were greatly
facilitated by the assistance afforded the medical teams by CIC PACFLY
and the Commanding Officer RAVSTAST.AAJ,
The fifth follow-up examinations during February=April, 1958 for the
first time employed the whole body counter, an electronic device far
the meesurement and identification of the total body burden of contante-
nating radioisotopes.
It proved an unqualified muccess in that it provided
direct data on the type amd decree of internal contamination of a musber of
the islmniers,
It wes also rseful in establishing that there was residual
redie ctivity present in certain foots end other reterials, Since it is
likely that the current Series of tests has addel to the contamira.ica
level of these islan’s, it is more than ever irzeretive to contin:e these
redical folloveup studies and to extend the surve; to a detailed examinstion of tt
ecolorical asrects of these islan-:3 special attention must
fc riven tt: th.- Lecelis cotained ite cs cf diet.
an order te accor ti + this nisstc. it is pre-<sed that a team of ardicel
“ mccloieui Srccitliucs be ecrt to these islanis with their recuirc.
wribeoert, scoorlies avi technical assistanco. The experience of last
yoi's exraditicn, for which you praciosly provided the LST "Flics
Cust", yaoots us to request that an LST arain be assigned fer trarce
portation ani basin~ berinnine soz tise between the middle of February
ei tho first of arch, 195y, ar. requirin- about one month overall fer
co.rletioi ef idssion.
An LOT proved to have many acvantares over otter
craft, mot the least of which was its ability to accert aml secure the
cleten shielurd sicealrooz cf the whole body counter on its tank decx,
RG
181 AGENCY/NRDL
Location
SAN BRUNO FRC
Access No. /$/
Folder
2 TO BE UNCLASSIFIER x
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G2U-275
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