"
, 11. The Rongelapede have been given periodic medical
examtnatiéns.
The ‘condition of the group ‘twoyears,carted
the fallout was summarized as follows in, the réport“of the« :
nedical team which conducted the examinattons:
*
"The medical’ survey of the Rongelap people. two =
years after exposure to fallout radiation, shows tha
the people appear to have been in a generally good”
state of health and nutrition and are making satis~~ a
factory recovery from their radiation exposure... 9: 23
Serious illness has occurred in two individuals but --:
neither these illnesses. nor clinical findings in-
other individuals can be attributed to radiation —
effects. One death in May 1956, that of’ a 46-yeara:
“old Rongelap man, was due to hypertensive heart
=|.
disease.
Previous examinations had shown that the.
disease was undoubtedly present ‘at the timeof:
exposure to fallout radiation.<Z
cna”
:
+.
2-7:2-7nitty
x
7
cme
© > -
“e
oN “There is. evidence “of continued’ ‘improvement’ of “3
7 hemopoiesis.
The mean lymphocyte count is slightly
increased over the one-year levels, but is still
‘slightly below the mean control count.
The mean”
Platelet level “is about the same as found at one >>:
year after exposure and is still slightlybelow the:
control” level.
The mean neutrophile count at one —
year after exposure had reached the control TVevel.
The delay in complete recovery of lymphocytes ‘and >
.
platelets is similar to that reported in the twoyear follow-up studies of the Japanese casualties ~
of the atomic bombings.
experience indicates
:
Tt
|
>
Evidence from the Marshallese ~
tnat the
lowered
levels
of
these ~
blood elements have not lowered the resistance of
people to disease, and the present levels arenot- *.
considered to represent a serious condition.- 7.2.2.)
"Residual changes in the skin from the beta: _ -:7
irradiation continue to show improvement.
—
_
aberrations
Pigment
are still evident in 15 cases and
four of these there is also scarring with some
~
in
adherence of the skin to the subcutaneous tissue.
:
;
However, there is no gross evidence of tissue
_
brealdiown or malignant change in any of these lesions,
and surgical repair is not considered necessary at
Po.
eet
at sites of radiation lesions shows residual effects
=
this
time.
Histological
of rediation damage,
or malimant changes.
examination of skin biopsies
but no evidence or prenalimmant
“Ophthalmological survey reveals that there are no
radiation-induced lens opacities, and the incidence of ~~”
ocular lesions is similar in exposed and control - -.
Populations.
fo
Lt
a
“
7
Sa
~ -. -.-°
-
2
Fone‘radiochemical analysis ‘of the usingof” the’.
Rongelap. people.shows measurable activity,which, is
a