14 low excretors either heterozygous or homozygous for the dominant allele. Striking differencesin the incidence of high excretors in various populations have been demonstrated, and it appears thatthis genetic polymorphism may be of considerable value in anthropo-genetic investigations.??:?? As a part of the study of the genetic relationships and origins of various Pacific peoples, this report extends observations on BAIB excretion to the Micronesians inhabiting the Marshall Islands. The fact that some of the Micronesians were exposéd to considerable radiation in 1954 is of special] interest here, since it is known that radiation exposure can, temporarilyat least, increase BAIB excretion,”® and studies on the Marshallese 1 eeeee Ee | population may elucidate possible long-term effects. Urine samples from 65 exposed and 119 unexposed people (75.7% of the population ofthevilJage) were collected in plastic bottles containing thymolpreservative. The sexes were equally represented, and the ages varied from 3 to >70 years. In somecases several members of the same family were included, and some kinships suitable for genetic analysis were available. Eighteen samples collected on Utirik were also studied. Urines were kept at 4°C and shippedin refrigerated containers to Seattle for analysis. These studies were carried out by one of us (B.S. Blumberg) and Dr. S.A. Gartler of the Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington. Studies were completed 2 to 3 weeks after collection of the spec- imens. Determinations of BAIB were carried out by high voltage electrophoresis on paper,?* and creatinine was determined by the alkaline picrate method. Radionuclide Body Burden Evaluation The methods used in the radionuclide body burden evaluation are described later in a separate section. carried out every year need be done only once every two to three years. In addition, as pointed out before, the Trust Territoryofficials were concerned about the slowness of economic recovery of the Rongelapese andfelt that the numerousvisiting scientific teams, particularly those with large ships and crews, were partly responsible for the unrest of the people and therefore requested that the size of the surveys be kept to a minimum, It was decided to defer the gamma spectrographic analysis until 1961. The Trust Territory officials agreed to greater participation of their medical personnelin future surveys and to the use of one of their cargo ships (Figure 9), which routinely made the roundsofthe islands for gathering copra, for carrying out the survey at Rongelap. Accordingly, for the 1960 survey the team consisted of only one physician and one technician from Brookhaven National Laboratory, and the remainderof the medical group, arranged bythe Trust Territory, included its Director of Public Health, two Marshallese medicalofficers, and two Micronesian laboratory technicians. The Director of Dental Services and one of his dental officers also accompanied the team to carryout treatment of the people. The District Administrator of the Marshall Islands accompanied the team in order to consult with the people on their agricultural program. * As in the previous year, several of the exposed people nowliving at Kwajalein and Majuro Atolls were examinedattheseatolls prior to the Rongelap visit. DOE ARC HIVE S PROCEDURES As in previous surveys, examinations were carried out in the dispensary and the schoolhouse in Rongelap village. Interval medical histories and complete physical examinations were carried out *Again in 1960, when the team arrived at Rongelap, the mag- 1960 Survey BACKGROUND MATERIAL The 1960 survey was reduced in size and scope and |imited to a very brief examination ofthe ex- posed people only. Several factors brought about this change. The people had recovered to the extent that certain special examinations previously ee ee ee ee ee istrate requested a mecting with the people. Theline of questions and discussion was about the same as that reported for the previous year. Resistance toward the examinations was expressed by only one or two of the people. Objections were again raised against the ban on eating coconut crabs, which selectively concentrate Sr** to such an extent that their consumption hadto be prohibited (Figure 4). The people were assured that these crabs were being repeatedly examined and that, when it was safe to eat them, immediate noufication would be given. Fish poisoning apparently had been less ofa problem during the past year since only one case had been noted, and the subjeet was not brought up again. Following this meeting, cooperation bythe people in the examinations was almost complete.