10
Table 1
Location of Rongelap People
Exposed
Unexposed
Children
of exposed parents
Adult
Children
3
6
33
8
2
1
3
26
0
0
4
9
23
I
0
8
25
59
5
12
7
24
75
I
13
23
67
216
15
27
52
30
37
109
120
348
Majuro
Kwajalein
Rongelap
Eniaetok
Otheratolls
Total
Table 2
Percent Distribution of Population by Age Groups
Rongelap
Rongelap
exposed (116
people, 1961;
includes
Adult
Children
Total
Radionuclide Body Burden Evaluation
Since results of the last survey indicated that
Cs**7 levels in the Rongelap people had about
reached equilibrium and that Zn®levels were dropping, it was considered that gammaspectroscopy
unexposed
children of
Marshall
Islands
(1961)
U.S.
(1960)
<15
45.4%
50.0%
43.1%
28.7%
with the 21-ton whole-body counter would not be
necessary again for several years. Therefore, no
gamma spectrographic analyses were done during
25-44
23.6
17.2
20.0
27.1
ples and one pool sample (12 liters) were col-
4.5
8.6
7.4
9.6
(220 people,
Age, yr
1961)
15-24
45-64
>65
Median
age, YI
12.3
14.1]
19.5
exposed
adults)
13.8
10.3
14.5
14.4
14.6
18.0
13.8
20.8
29.5
this survey. However, thirty-five 24-hr urine sam-
lected for radiochemical analysis for Sr*°. In addition, samples of rib and vertebrae taken at autopsy
from the 78-.r-old woman who had died were
brought back for Sr°° analysis; also 4 coconut crabs
collected at Rongelap.**
cal analyses was also examined for sugar in the
case of 199 Rongelapese.'**
Results and Discussion
Urine Analyses
The census of Rongelap people in March 1962
Urine total iodides and creatinine levels were
obtained on 10 casual urine samples of Rongela-
pese who had previously shownslight elevation of
their protein bound iodine (PBI) levels. Total
iodine and creatinine were determined.
Routine urine analyses were carried out on the
majority of people. This included determinations
of protein and hyperglucosuria by reagent paper
strips. **
*The Clinical Laboratory of the South Nassau Communities Hospital carried out these analyses.
** Combistix, Ames Company,Inc., Elkhart, Indiana.
was 348, of which 82 were in the exposed group
(including 4 children exposed in utero at the time
of the accident), 37 were children of exposed parents, and 229 were unexposed people; Table 1
shows their locations. In Table 2 the population
is broken downaccording to percentdistribution in
various age groups and compared with that of the
Marshall Islands as a whole for 1961 and of the
U.S. for 1960. The table also shows the median
age. The lower median age of the Marshallese
**We are grateful to Dr. E. P. Hardy, Jr. and Dr.
J. Harley of the Health and Safety Laboratory of the New
York Operations Office of the AEC for performing these
analyses.