a EL an - - im = ane tthe one + turn of the peopleto Rongelap.Theibedy devels of the uneXposed people whoreturned to theisland complete or lost in most instances, and vital statis- the men whodied showed3.7 strontium-90 units/g tics are therefore inadequate. Trust Territory officials are now attempting to assemble such data. 3. There is uncertainty on the part of some of the Marshallese as to their exact ages, particularly amongtheolder group. This imposes certain difficulties in interpreting some ofthe studies to be OTHER STUDIES COMPARISON POPULATIONS Other studies have been carried out on the Rongelap people which are not directly related to radiation effects. An intensive intestinal parasite survey showed that the people were infected with many types of protozoa and helminths. This finding did not entirely account for the generally high incidence of eosinophilia. Other findings that need further explanation are the general anemic tendencies, the high plasma protein levels with increased gamma globulin, and the higher than normallevels of serum protein-bound iodine and vitamin B,,. Another investigation is concerned During the first 2 years, two separate groups of Marshallese people were used for comparison, each of comparable size to the exposed Rongelap group and matched for age and sex. However,this population was found to be unstable, with a large also increased, becomingindistinguishable from those of the originally exposed group. However, the levels remain well below the maximum permissible limits. Analyses of bone samples on one of calcium. with genetic studies and determination of the anthropological background of the Marshallese from genetically determined traits. Amongthe traits studied were blood groups and hemoglobin and haptoglobin tvpes. The results shed somelight on the origin of these people and the homogeniety of the population. Their blood groups resemble most closely those of the people from Southeast Asia and Indonesia, and the population appears to be relatively homogeneous. DIFFICULTIES ASSOCIATED WITH THE EXAMINATIONS As mentioned in previous reports, several difhculties were associated with carrying out the examinations as well as interpreting the findings. 1. The language barrier made examinations difficult, since very little English is spoken by the Marshallese. However, there were sufficient English-speaking Marshallese to assist the medical team In most instances. 2. The lack ofvital statistics or demographic data on the Marshallese imposed a serious difhculty in interpretation and evaluation of the medical data. Records of births, deaths, etc., have been madebythe health aides or magistrates of the villages and supposedly forwardedto thedistrict ad- ministrator; however, such records have been in- outlined. attrition rate over the 2 years, which madeit unsatisfactory. At the time of the 3-year survey, it was found that during the preceding 12 months the Rongelap population at Majuro Atoll had doubled because of the influx of relatives who had comeback from otherislands to live with them. These people had been away from Rongelap Atoil at the time of the accidental exposure. This group matched reasonably well for age and sex and was of comparable size. Since the return of the people to Rongelap, however, this group has about doubled in size. Since the »cople are of the same stock geneti- callv, they are uniquelv appropriate to serve as a comparison population and have, therefore. been used since 1957. 1959 Survey BACKGROUND MATERIAL Organization For the 1959 survey, 5 years after the accident, the medical team consisted of seven physicians, one dentist, two scientific specialists, and nine technicians from variousinstitutions and laboratories in the United States. Several Marshallese practitioners andinterpreters assisted in carrying out the examinations. A groupoffive scientists from the University of Washington, headed by Dr. E.E. Held, accompanied the groupto collect soil, marine, and plant samples for radiochemical analysis. These studies are not includedin this report. Prior to the main survey on Rongelap, several members of the team visited Majuro to examine