constituted an average of 47 percent by weight cn a wet weight basis ‘74
percent on a dry weight basis), gross beta activity af the fat fraction
amounted tc less than 0.5 percent of the total activity on a wet weight
basis. Fat content on a wet
weight basis had a range of 31 percent ta 65
percent. There is a linear relationship between strantium-90 activity and
gross teta activity. Since the fat content of coconut crab liver is
variable and the fat fraction contains practically no radicactivity, it is
suggested that the radicactivity (and mineral content) of liver samples be
compared on the basis of the non-fat solids. (auth)

Descriptors:
ANIMALS: BETA PARTICLES; ISLANDS; LIVER: ORGANIC ACIDS; FA
CIFIC OCEAN; RADIGACTIVITY; STRONTIUM 90
Subject Codes (NSA): HIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
Recard - 4i

196484
NSA-13-013135
MEDICAL SURVEY OF RONGELAP FEOPLE, MARCH 1958, FOUR YEARS AFTER EXPOSURE
TO FALLOUT

Canard, R.A.3; Rebertsen, J.S.; Meyer, L.M.; Sutow, W.W.: Wolins, W.3 Lowr
ey, Ae; Urschel, H.C. Jr.: Barton, J.M.3; Galdman, M.; Hechter, H.: Eicher,
M.3 Carver, R.K.; Fatter, DW.
Breekhaven National Lab., Upton, N.Y.
Publication Date: May 1959
38 p.
Primary Report No.: BNL-534
Journal Anneuncemert: NSAIS
Availability: NTIS
Document Type: Report
Language: English
Results are summarized from a medical survey carried cut in March 1958 an
inhabitants of the Rongelap Islands exposed to accidental fall-cut
radiation during Operation Castle in the spring cf 1954. The habitation cf
these pecple on Rengelap Island affords the opportunity for a mest valuable
ecological radiation study con human beings. The various radicnuclides
present on the island can be traced from the soil through the food and inte
the human being, where the tissue and argan distributions, biclagical
half-times, and excretion rates can be studied. Noa apparent acute cor
subacute effects were found at thie time related tc the gamma dese af 175 r
received, with the possible exception of hemapoietic findings indicating a
persisting lag in complete recevery of platelet levels af the peripheral
blood. In the males these mean levels were 11 ta 14% and in the females 9%
below the corresponding mean levels of the comparison population. History
and physical examinations revealed no clinical evidence of any illness ar
findings during the past year or at the time of the survey which cculd be
related to whole-body exposure. Estimates of body burdens of radionuclides
were determined by gamma spectroscopy and by radicchemical analyses of
urine saniples. Thcse measurements showed an increasc in the body burden of

cesium-137, strantium-90, and zinc-65. Surveys were also made an the

incidence of intestinal parasites, and an bleed groups and anthraopolagical

background of the Marshallese. (For preceding period see BNL-501.) (C.H.)
Descriptor Groups (Splits):
BLOOD--BLOOD FORMATIOGN-~BODY--DISTRIBUTION-FALLOUT--FOOD--GAMMA RADIAT ION--HALF-LIFE--ISLANDS--MAN--MEDIC INE--METABOL
ISM--NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS--PACIFIC OCEAN--PLATELETS--POPULATIONS--FPROJECT
CASTLE--QUANTITY RATIO--RADIATION DOSES~-RADIATION EFFECTS--RADIOISOTOFES-SEX--SOILS--TISSUES--VARTIATIONS

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