~
Medical syrveys were carried out on the exposed
people of Rongelap Island in March 1965 and
March 1966. In 1965 the comparison population
was also examined, and in 1966 the exposed population of Utirik Island was examined.
INTERVAL MEDICAL HISTORY
During the past 2 years the Rongelap people
have been generally in good health with satisfactory
nutritional status. No unusual epidemicsofdisease
occurred. Over the 2-year period 2 deaths had
occurred in the Ailingnae group (originally exposed to 69 rads). No autopsy was obtained, but
the deaths occurredin older people with no obvious
connection with radiation exposure. One death
occurred in an older woman of the comparison
population. The death rate has been higherin the
exposed population than in the unexposed population, which mayin partberelated to the larger
percentage of older people originally in the exposed group. Birth rate has been about equalin
the exposed and unexposed groups. No miscarriages or stillbirths were noted in the exposed
on
qT
oT
T
T
CREM Cae
pCi/g DRY
re
102!
na
“ys
me
NMWUSC_E
COPBE TES TO
SATE OF COLLECTION
Ee
~s
«
*
10
fr
COCONUT CRAB
(BIRGUS
LATRO}
.
KABELLE ISLET
RONGELAP ATOLL
i
i
1954 1955 1956
1957
be
.
we
eRe °
in.
a
du
COLLECT!IN
DATE
1958 1959 1960
1961
i
mae
1962
THYROID FINDINGS
The dosimetric calculation for radiation dose to
the thyroid from internal absorption of radioactive
iodines from the fallout was reviewed. Early thyroid
studies including protein-boundiodine determinations, iodoprotein levels, dietary iodine and urinary
excretion of iodine, thyroid uptake of radioiodine,
and serum cholesterol levels were reviewed.
Thyroid abnormalities during the past 3 years
Ll
i. -
occurred in 79% of the children exposed at < 10
years of age, as compared with no cases in the
children of the Ailingnae, Utirik, or unexposed
groups. Only one adult in the Ailingnae groupdeveloped a thyroid nodule. Several nodules were
noted in the thyroid giands of older Utirik and
unexposed adults ofRongelap. Surgery was per-
formedin 11 cases: 9 children and | adult were
.
.
1
1
As noted in previous surveys, the variety and
distribution of physical abnormalities (with the
exception of thyroid pathology) did not appearto
be significantly different in the exposed people as
compared with the unexposed population. The
‘ trends toward growth retardation in the exposed
children, previously noted, have continued. No
leukemia or cancer (except one thyroid cancer)
was detected.
have increased to 18 cases, 16 with nodules and 2
i
~
PHYSICAL FINDINGS
with hypothyroidism. It is noteworthy that in the
higher exposure group thyroid abnormalities
We, my Swe Lo un CRRECTED Ty
Oo. 8 Tete OF CULES TION
3 SPE. ven 3 POCLED
eens 70N an
-C9b%
TT
The people of Utirik Island appeared to have*
been in good health and reported few serious
medical happeningsover the past 3 years. The
birth and deathrates in this group appeared to be a
similar to those in the Rongelap group.
tome Abate wntpa edhanaAy oh
Summary
-
le + lle ty
posed women.
J
i963 !964
Figure 71. Analyses for “Sr, '‘'Cs, and “Co in coconut
crabs of northern Rongelap Atoll since 1954. (Courtesy
of E. Held, University of Washington. )
found to have adenomatous goiters, and | adult
a mixed papillary and follicular carcinomaofthe
thyroid gland with localized metastasis. The gross
and microscopic appearanceof these lesions was
described and depicted. Correlation of growth retardation in exposed children with thyroid pathology was indicated by the recentfindingofdefinite
%
t
.
>
women during the past 2 years, but 5 miscarriages
occurred in unexposed women. No abnormalbabies
were born in the exposed group, but two (hydrocephalic and mongoloid) were born to two unex-
re
use of crab meatas a food item should continue to
be avoided. Other foods, however, are responsible
for the '*’Cslevels found.
ot
64