-l1- to change of environment. 12.6.2 Exposure of the Skin. During the first 24-48 hours after exposure about 25% of the Marshallese in the higher exposed groups experienced itching and burning sensations of the skin. of the eyes. A few complained of burning and lacrimation These symptoms were present to a lesser degree in the Americans on Rongerik who, being aware of the danger, took shelter in their aluminum buildings, bathed and changed clothes. These precautions greatly reduced the development of subsequent skin lesions in this group. The people on Utirik had no early skin symptoms. Skin lesions and epilation first appeared about 2 weeks after exposure. Erythema of the skin was not observed either during the early examinations when primary erythema might be expected or later when a secondary erythema might be expected. In the more heavily exposed Marshallese about 90% developed multiple, spotty, pigmented lesions on exposed parts of the body. Most of these burns were superficial in nature (See Fig.10). In the early stages all lesions were characterized by hyperpigmented macules, papules or raised plaques with a dry leathery texture. The pigmented stage of the superficial lesions was followed within several days by dry, scaly desquamation which proceeded from the central part of the lesion outward, leaving a pink to white thin epithelium which gradually repigmented. Only about 20% of the Marshallese group referred to developed ulcerating lesions and secondary infections occurred in a few cases. Burns on the dorsum of the feet were generally the most severe, showing bullae formation followed by ulceration(Fig. 11). At 13 years after exposure some of these lesions rontinue to show incomplete repigmentation of the skin with atrophy or scarring in some cases (see Fig. 5001308 12).