The radioactivity in the urine cf the exposed inaividuals had decreased rargidly with time and was barely detectable at 6 months, This rate of elimination, coupled with the initial esti mates of a low degree of intern] contamination,' roiaimizes the possibility that chronic irra- 6.2 CONCLUSIONS -s-examination of the Rongelar and Ailinginae people 6 months after >xwosure tu f2iout radircion reveaied the following: 1. Skin lesions were completely healed, and only a few hyperpigmented or depigmented scarred areas remaineu at the sites of tne most sever2 early tesions. There wan no evidence . of secondary breakdown of. any lesions. 2. Regrowth of hair was essentially complete. No changes tn hair color or texture were noted. 3. Residual bluish-brown discoloration of the fingernails was observed in three tndivic- 4. No other findings on physical examination or X-ray exaniination of the chest were as- cribable to radiation exposure. §. The total white, neutrophile, lymphocyte, aud platelet counts remained depressed below control levels. 6. No significant abnormalities were det.cied ‘a bone marrow samples aspirated from 22 exposed and 20 control individuals. 7. Minimal amounts of residual gross beta activity were detectable in the urine ‘of aporoxi- mately one-third of the expused individuals. €.3 RECOMMENDATIONS including a portable X-ray machine in the equipment. The machine at the Majuro hospital at present is old and badly in need of repairs. s It is ry :commended that the following procedures be considered for future medical resur- veya: (1) c. nplete serological studies on all exposed and control intividuals, (2) stoo! examinations for rarasites, and (3) complete ophthalmological exam‘nations with photographs of lenses. Also, when additional X-ray pictures are contemplated, consideration should Le given to In eummary, information of considerable importance can be obtained by continued observation of the exvosed Marshallese people; however, pogsible !ate eifects cannot be properly evaluated in the absence of an adequate control population. The lack of suitable controls in the Nagasaki-Hiroshima data has been a most serious difficulty tn evaluating changes that have appeared. During the present resurvey a contro) popu’ation thought to he adequate w2s established and examined. It is strongly recommendcd that consideration be given to the adequacy of this population and, 'f it is felt to be adequate, that measures ve taken to ensure continued observation of the control individuals, Consultation with Dr. Hardin Jones in relation to radiation and longevity is recommended, RE FERENCE 1. E. P. Cronkite et al., Study of Response of Humar Beings Accidentally Exposed to Significant Fallout Radiation, Operation Castle final report uf Project 4.1. et” yA Oe uals. TTP ken ay AT vers hn ’ nshd che teectnaebanvainenaas: dakagman tt mantnie. wihbineDrstCitnbibh iatanait Baha ih! wedtantberiacllpiierte shbn my diation effects from this source will occur. 37 “44 TTR ee ail nN Hake ween ee