1964-75. Unquestionable damage to the thyroid gland, especially to
those exposed below the age of 10, made its appearance. A reexamination

of earlier estimates of dose to the thyroid gland led to their elevation

by a factor of about 2 for adults, and 5 or more for children. The
administration of thyroid hormone (interrupted on occasion) to the entire
exposed population was begun in 1965 as a prophylactic measure against
thyroid neoplasia (nodules, cancer), and also to correct for possible
losses in thyroid function.
By the end of 1974 (Fig 2.3 #1), the thyroid tumor record was as

follows:

Age below 10 in 1954:

17 tumors in 19 persons examined,

including 1 cancer.

Age 10-18 years in 1954:

2 tumors in 12 persons examined.

Age above 18 years in 1954 : 3 tumors in 33 persons
examined, including 2 cancers.
Almost all persons with thyroid nodules were sent for surgical
treatment to the Cleveland Metropolitan Hospital, Cleveland, Ohio. Each
one was compensated at the rate of $25,000 per surgery.
The occurrence of thyroid disease as well as a case of acute
leukemia worried the Rongelap people. The medical team was accused of
having deceived the Rongelap people and of using them as guinea pigs.

The Brookhaven medical services were boycotted during 1972, but they were
accepted later in the year after a favorable report on the matter by an

international committee.
1976-79.

More thyroid nodules appeared.

The Rongelap people

continued to be worried. They asked for an independent health review

which was not granted. A group of Brookhaven scientists proposed a
comprehensive dosimetry review (Bond et al, 1978), which DOE then funded

(Lessard, 1984a; Lessard et al, 1984c; Lessard et al, 1985).

Independently, DOE initiated a "Northern Marshall's Survey" based on an
aerial survey by EG&G and some terrestrial work by Lawrence Livermore
National Laboratory (Robison et al, 1980; Robison et al, 1982b; Tipton
& Meibaum,1981).
1980-84. DOE summarized its survey results in 1982 with a report in
Marshallese, embellished with colored illustrations. (This is the book,
DOE-1982, under review in the present report. See Note 1.) DOE-1982
Stated that the U. S. radiation guide was 5 rem in 30 years, and that the
current whole-body dosage at Rongelap Island was 2.5 rem in 30 years. On
some other Rongelap-Atoll islands not used for permanent residence the
dose might be 2 to 5 times as much. The Rongelap people requested the
Government to transfer them to another atoll.
Significant parts of the
anti-nuclear documentary film, Half-Life, were filmed at Rongelap. The
film suggested that the people had been used as “guinea pigs".

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