-3—
(ec) Thyroid function,
In view of the fact that the Rongelap people received
a dose of about 300 rep to the thyroid gland (an estimated 175 r whole body
gamma dose plus an estimated 100-150 rep to the thyroid from internally absorbed
1131) thyroid studies should be carried out,
Several investigators have report~
ed thyroid malignancy and leukemias in people who in infancy or childhood had
received similar doses of radiation to the thyroid, We carried out total cholesterol determinations on the sera of the Marshallese this past year, No abnormally high cholesterols were found, However, on the next survey it might be
desirable to do plasma bound iodine studies at least on those individuals, particularly children, with cholesteral levels in the higher ranges,
(d)
Degenerative disease, Nephrosclerosis is said to be one of the diseases
associated with radiation aging, Therefore tests for kidney function should
be considered, On the past survey routine urinalysis was carried out (with
microscopic examination done on those samples showing positive albumen only).
Perhaps these should be repeated again next year,
Serum creatinine levels were
determined but no significantly high values were found, However, we might con~
sider doing blood urea urine urea levels on those people showing creatinine
levels in the upper ranges,
Should liver function tests or any other test along this line be considered?
(e)
Slit lamp observation for radiation induced opacities of the lens will be
repeated as in the past,
(f)
Genetic studies, With such small numbers of people involved and in view of
the negative nature of the genetic studies carried out in large numbers of Japan-
ese people we have not been encouraged to undertake such studies, However, in
my Opinion, there are several factors which place these studies in the Marshallese
in a more favorable light; 1, the relative isolation of the people insures repeat examinations over a period of years with a minimum of mixing with other island population; 2,
consanguinous marriages are cormon; 3, there is considerable
intermarriage among the irradiated group,
The incidence of congenital defects
among the Marshallese appears high (possibly due to consanguinous matings over
a long period of years), Thus far we have only examined the offspring for abnor-
malities which might be found on routine physical examinations and nothing of
significance has been found, Dr, J, Neel suggests that data on congenital defects
in offspring of consanguinous marriages would be valuable in connection with their
study along this line in the Japanese, (This study is aside from radiation effects, )
3,
In the third category ,ie,abnormatities common to both exposed and unexposed
Marshallese, the relatively low hematocrit levels should be investigated,
Dietary
deficiencies should be ruled out, The prevalence of intestinal parasites (with
high eosinophile counts) might be more completely evaluated by stool studies for
ova and parasites, Attempts at iarge scale treatment for parasitism might be
contemplated,
Since many types of parasites are present the procedure
more feasible if there were a “universal" vermifuge of some type,
would be
The high serum protein levels prevalent in these people could be further investigated, Preliminary electrophoretic data indicate a high gamma globulin fraction,
Perhaps parasitism, chronic infections, or diet may be partly responsible,
Anthropological studies to show the degree of homogeneity of the Marshallese might
be interesting,
The hemoglobin types seem to indicate a considerable degree of
homogeneity, Blood group studies indicate a large Asiatic component in their
background,
1181998