SUMMARY OF THE 20TH POST EXPOSURE MEDICAL SURVEY OF 4 OL GL THE RONGELAP AND UTIRIK PEOPLE The twenty year survey was highlighted by several special examinations and the use for the first time of an LCU newly acquired by the AEC for medical and radiological surveys in the Marshall Islands. In addition to routine medi- cal examinations several special medical studies were conducted, a thyroid reserve study and a diabetic and genetic study. Radiological surveys including were carried out at Utirik, Rongelap and Bikini. Results of these examinations personnel monitoring by y-spectroscopy and environmental radiation studies must be considered quite preliminary at this time. The survey team consisted of 19 members: from the U. S. - 4 M.D.'s, 2 P.H.D.'s and 7 technical specialists; from the Trust Territory 1 M.D., 1 practitioner, 1 Medex and 3 technicians. Also Mr. William Streenan from the AEC and Mr. John Rosario representing the Congress of Micronesia accompanied the team. On the LCU there were 8 men in the crew plus a cook making a total of 31 people on the ship. Medical examinations on a total of about 500 people at Majuro March 18-23, at Ebeye March 25-29; then via LCU to Utirik April 1-3, Rongelap, April April 11-15. A roster of team personnel is attached. and as assistant were conducted (Kwajalein) 5-10 and Bikini, Village meetings were held at Utirik and Rongelap during which the ob- jectives of the survey were discussed, team members introduced and questions answered. The meeting at Utirik was pleasant and uncomplicated, but the Rongelap meeting was disappointing in that there were questions presented by the Rongelap Fallout Survivors Association which indicated continued misunderstanding about the medical examinations and results. A transcript of this village meeting is attached, It appears that there must have been outside influence in presenting the questions since the people could not have read our reports, those of the medical observers or the Congress of Micronesia since they have not been translated into Marshallese. Further education of the people is necessary and a booklet written in Marshallese is being prepared by the Trust Territory which will help answer many of their questions. of the medical surveys voiced last year at Rongelap by Senator Borja and Congressman Balos needs further reinforcement by these congressmen. Support SURVEY FINDINGS Thyroid. Two additional exposed Rongelap people were found to have thyroid nodules, one in a 45-year old woman exposed on Ailingnae Island (whole body gamma dose estimated at 69 rads) and in a 20-year old boy who was exposed in-utero near the end of the second trimester. The latter case is interesting since this is the first thyroid abnormality developing in any of the four in- utero exposed children. There was also one unexposed 4l-year old Rongelap DOE ARCHIVES