~ 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