Volume 66, No. 6 June 1967 LATE EFFECTS OF RADIOACTIVE TABLE 1. Group* IODINE IN FALLOUT [21 9 Summary of Fallout Effects Composition Fallout Observed Estimated Gamma Dose Extent of Skin Lesions rads Rongelap Ailinginae Rongerik Utirik 64 Marshallese Heavy (snow-like) 28 Americans Moderate (mist-like) 18 Marshallese 157 Marshallese Moderate (mist-like) None 175 Extensive 69 Less extensive 14 No skin lesions or epilation 78 Slight * Also exposed were 23 Japanese fishermen who received a sublethal dose. received less fallout, with an estimated whole-body dose of 69 rads, less extensive irradiation of the skin, and less internal absorption of radioactive materials. “Chere were 28 American servicemen on Rongerik Island, still further to the east, who received a moderate amount of fallout with very slight skin burns. These men were aware of the fallout dangers and took proper precautions such as staying indoors and taking showers to remove radioactive material from their bodies. The last group, the people of Utirik Island, 157 men, women, and children, saw no fallout at all, and there was a very minimal amount of radiation received, an estimated 14 rads of whole-body radiation. Table 1 lists the populations exposed with estimated doses. During the first 2-day period, before the Rongelap people were evacuated, many of them became anorexic and had nausea and a few vomited. The majority also complained of itching and burning sensations of the skin, usually on the exposed sur: faces of skin that were not covered by clothing. ‘They were evacuated by ship and planes 2 days after the accident to the Island of Kwajalein, which at that time was a large naval base to the south. We, as members of a special naval medical team, arrived on the scene about 8 days later and carried out extensive examinations on these people for the following 3 months. At the end of that time the Utirik people, who showed no serious effects from their exposure, were re- turned to their home island, which was considered safe for habitation. But since the island of Rongelap was too radioactive the people of this island, who had sustained more serious exposure effects, had to be moved to a temporary village some 150 miles to the south where they lived for 3 years. The Rongerik servicemen were returned to their duty stations after these examinations. Ficure §. Rongelap Village today. The old village was completely rebuilt. Peperwerepe ther east it occurred. There were 64 men, women, and children on Rongelap who received an estimated dose of 175 rads of whole-body gamma radiation. They also suffered extensive skin irradiation from fallout deposit on their bodies and some internal absorption of radioactive materials. There were 18 other Rongelap people on a fishing expedition at an adjacent atoll (Ailinginae), 20 miles to the south, and they