“
|
AO 8200
June 1, 1959
MEDICAL STATUS OF RONGELAP PEOPLE
FIVE YEARS AFTER EXPOSURE TO FALLOUT RADIATION
by
Robert A. Conard, M.D.
In March 1959 the regular annual medical survey was carried
out on the KRongelap people who had received the heaviest exposure to
radioactive fallout five years previously in the accident which occurred
following the experimental detonation of a nuclear weapon.
The examinations were conducted on Rongelap Island to which
the people had returned in July 1957. On their return, they were accompanied by an equally large group of unexposed relatives. This latter
group has served as a comparison population for the medical studies.
The Navy kindly furnished an IST for the survey.
These anpnual surveys are carried out under the direction of
Brookhaven National Laboratory and sponsored by the Atomic Energy Com-
mission with the support of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands,
the Department of Defense, and other governmental agencies.
A team of
20 physicians, scientists, and technicians, specialists in the field
of radiation medicine, carried out the survey on Rongelap Island.
On arrival of the team at Rongelap there was some question
in the minds of some of the people as to the necessity of having firther examinations. Objections to the examinations were mainly directed
toward their dislike of the blood sampling. It was also evident that
the need for the examinations created some concern in the minds of the
people about their health status. Some also were concerned about the
radiological safety of their food and water for consumption. The psople
were reassured that their health was generally good and their food and
weter sefe for consuzaption, and the importance of continued exsminstions
and trestment in order to help insure their continued good health was
stressed. These explanations appeared to alleviate their fears and
the people cooperated extremely well with the medical team in carrying
out the exemirstions.
7
Do
Po
RG
BY AUTHORITY FOES
826 US 2000S TinGY
OL~
Collection
Box
TO RE UNCLASSIFIED
CONFIRMED
N
PQ
oto.
oO
ic
ol
et et
cs
—
a baw
REWIEWED BY
DATE
YY EY.
|
fence UT
ae,
eetie
epert wen C.
( 3 e Oo
FolderMAS 2 RADIATION, Vol. Lt
ier
:
SES
pis6 hat
“
~
R
)
9é