eee eyee a A ote SO SS ee ime wee ee were eo ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION ACTION REGARDING PAYMENT CF COSTS OF SPECIAL MEDICAL CARE FOR INHABITANTS OF~ RONCELAP AND UTIRIKX ATOLLS PROBLEM 1, To consider the response of the Atomic Energy Commission to a forthcoming request by the High Commissioner of the Pacific Islands Trust Territory for reimbursement of expenses incurred under Micronesian Senate Bill No. 89, which provides to inhabitants of Rongelap and Utirik atolls exposed to radioactive fallout in 1954,. their offspring and their controls, ‘ transportation to and medical care at hospitals in Majuro or Ebeye. BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY 2, The inhabitants of Rongelap and Utirik atolls in the Marshall - | Islands were accidentally exposed to fallout radiation following a detonation of a high yield thermonuclear device during Pacific Proving Grounds in March 1954. tests at Bikini in the The radiation exposure ranged from 14 rads of whole body radiation to persons on the Utirik Atoll up to an estimated dose ef 175 rads of whole body gamma radiation to the population on the Rongelap Atcl The Rongelap inhabitants also incurred internal deposition of radioactive Tsotopes, especially including those of fodine; the latter resulted in the onset of thyroid abnormalities several years after the event. Thyroid nodules were first detected nine years after the detonation and ultimately affected 23 of 67 persons who were exposed on the island cf Rongelap at the time of the detonation. Four malignant thyroid tumors have been diagnosed in the Rongelap and Utirik populations. A case of acute leukemia was detected in a 19 year old Rongelap male during the Brookhaven medical Survey in September 1972; the boy died two months later. Compensation was provided to the people of Rongelap in accordance with U. S. Public Law 88-485, passed on August 22, 1964. made in full settlement and discharging all claims against The payment, the United States arising out of the detonation, provided to each exposed individual or his heirs approximately $11,000 as a lump sum payment. (See Enclosure 2 for additional information concerning the radiation exposure, medical sequelae and compensation.) .3, a sooesl2 Because of the physical geography of the area (many small islands