jOL8¢0 ny GROWTH STATUS OF CHILDREN EXPOSED TO FALLOUT RADIATION ON MARSHALL ISLANDS AOl849 W.W. Sutow, M.D., R. A. Conard, M.D. and K. M.Griffith, M.D. University of Texas M. D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute, Houston, Texas, and the Upton, L, L, New York dentally exposed to fallout radiation from hematological, clinical, and other data from these surveys have been published.*-*° (see Table I). The inhabitants were sub- through 1963, of those who were in the jected to whole body gamma radiation, irradiation of the skin (largely from beta particles in the fallout), and radiation from internal absorption of radionuclides following ingestion of contaminated food and water. About two days after the accident, the entire populations of the three atolls - pediatric age group (less than 20 years of age) at the time of exposure. RADIATION EXPOSURE DATA Table I shows the various island groups, distances from Bikini, and estimated whole body doses. On Rongelap atoll, 64 people lap and Ailingnae people were transferred Utirik atoll, farthest from Bikini, received the smallest dose of about 14 r. The inte- levels on Rongelap were considered low ment readings at the time of evacuation, to Majuro Atoll, several hundred miles to the south. By June, 1957, the radioactivity One hundred and fifty-seven inhabitants of grated dosage calculations were rather complicated and involved survey instru- enough for the people to be moved back to” film badge readingsof a group of Americans on a nearby contaminated island, rover 824-8 73 BOX No. growth and developmentstudies, for 1958 were carried out. After several months, the Utirik group was returnedto its homeisland where radioactivity was considered to be low enoughfor safe habitation. The Ronge- PUBLICATIONS This report summarizes the findings from received the calculated gamma dose in air of 175 r. Eighteen other Rongelap inhabitants who had been on the neighboring Ailingnae atoll were exposed to about 69r. were evacuated by plane and ship to Kwajalein Atoll where complete examinations IAL DEPT. MED Since the exposure, annual medical followup examinations have been conducted on these people. Detailed accounts of the the experimental detonation of a large thermonuclear device over Bikini Atoll. An unpredicted shift in wind at the time of detonation caused deposition of significant amounts of fallout on these nearbyislands aesetae conection LIARS HALL SLAS.. RECOROS BNL REPOSITORY exposed on Utirik developed alopecia, epilation, or other radiation symptoms. the island. Most of the people exposed on Rongelap experienced anorexia and nausea within the first 24 to 48 hours after exposure. Vomiting and diarrhea occurred in a few. Cutaneous lesions and alopecia developed about two weeks later in most of the exposed subjects. Leukopenia (white blood count less than 5,000) and thrombocytopenia (platelet count less than 100,000) were seen in a number (see Table IT). None of the people estimation of the time and extentoffallout, fallout decay, etc.1: An accurate estimate of the beta radiation dose to the skin from radioactive material in contact with the dermal surface could not be made, but the development of skin lesions indicated that it must have been roughly 10,000 to 15,000 rads (largely low-energy beta). _ Radiochemical analysis of urine samples from exposed persons showed some degree (Submitted November 18, 1964; revision accepted for publication March 31, 1965.) ADDRESS: (W.W.S.) University of Texas M. D. Anderson Hospital and TumorInstitute, Texas Medical Center, Houston, Texas; (R.A.C.) Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, Long Island, New York. This work was supported by the U. S. Atomic Energy Commission. 721 LY 509 Pepiatrics, Vol. 36, No. 5, November 1963 tet ete — n March 1, 1954, inhabitants of three O atolls (Rongelap, Ailingnae, and Utirik) of the Marshall Islands were acci- ee - Brookhaven Nationa! Lab oratory The Medical Research Center Medical Division, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, Long Island, New York