ACO
i
7
BROOKHAVEN NATIONAL LABORATORY
ASSOCIATED
UNIVERSITIES, Inc.
UPTON, L.1.. N.Y, 1973
REFER:
TEL. AREA CODE S16 YAPHANK 4.6262
MEDICAL
{
.
DEPARTMENT
April l, 1966
PRIVACY ACT MATERIAL REMOVED
|
REPOSITORY
Dee / PA So
COLLECTION
Dot
Honorable Wilfred Goding
BOX No.
Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands
Saipan, Mariana Islands
FOLDER
High Commissioner
LAPS,
BItowHte)
fyWV
ELIA
2
Dr Conerha |
OL THAK Lif
LE Loo
Dear Mr. Goding:
The 12-year medical survey of the people of Rongelap and Utirik Islands
who were exposed to fallout has been completed,
A further communication will
be issued in the near future covering details of the survey. The purpose of
this letter is to request your concurrence and help in regard to plans to
carry out special medical examinations and possibly surgery in the United
States in May of five Rongelap peoplewith disease of the thyroid glands
believed to be due to radioactive fallout.
There are now 18 cases of thyroid
abnormalities among the relatively small population of 69 people, an increase
of five since last September. You will remember that six of these cases have
been operated upon, one of whom turned out to have a cancer of the thyroid.
In
view of the importance of these findings, early hospitalization is indicated in
the case of these five additional people.
The Trust Territory personnel
on the survey concurred regarding the necessity of these special examinations,
The following Rongelap people are involved:
Name
Age
sex
Location
13
46
F
F
Rongelap
Rongelap
13
F
13
20
¥
F
Parents
Ebeye
Ebeye
Majuro
Billiet Edmond, a school teacher at Rongelap, who speaks excellent english,
has agreed to accompany the patients as interpreter. He indicates that school
will not be in session during the time of the proposed trip.
The followin; plan is proposed:
(1)
Before May 1l--pick up the péople
at Rongelap (
.
, and
, when one of the three ships in the
Marshalls stops there, bringing them to Ebeye.
Also return
from Majuro
to Ebeye.
(2) May 2-—6--the Trust Territory representatives at Kwajalein Uietry
indicate that their wives would be glad to help purchase a few necessary items
of clothing for the Marshallese group (to be paid for by the AEC). (3) May 6--
MAC flight to Hickam.
IO} 3858
(It is presumed that your office will issue the necessary
PRIVACY ACT MATERIAL REMOVED