During the course of routine atomic tests in the Marsnail Islands. 28 United States personnel and 236 residents were transported from neighboringatolls to Kwayjaiein Island, according to plan asa precautionary measure. These individuals were unexpectedly exposed to some radioactivity. There were no burns. All were reported well. After the completion of the atomic tests, the natives will be returned to their homes. (B-3) PRIVACY ACT MATERIAL REMOVED la?atin ~~ YT Atvs . —_ . aus Kgs te ‘RY &\ E. Naval Station, Kwajalein When the evacuated personnel arrived at Kwajalein, they were given brief physical examinations including blood counts at the Naval Dispensary. A showerfacility for decontaminating personne! and laundry facilities were established. Most people still showed some residual radioactive contamination of the skin and clothing. Their clothing was laundered and, tm Marshallese bathing in the lagoon of Ewajalein ta remove fallout contamination. to aid in decontamination, they were encour- aged to bathe in the nearby lagoon. Most people had few clothes, and some had to be discarded due to persistent radioactive contamination. F. Initial Medical Examinations. 1. Facilities Whenthe medical team arrived at Kwajalein on March8, we found that the people were adjusting well ta their new surroundings. There was some worry about possessions left behind. and they were told that their boats and livestock would be cared for. the magistrate, expressed concern that the Rongelap people might have the same fate as the Bikini people who had been awayfrom their isiand for many years. With the cooperationof the Navy, we set up examination and laboratory facilities in a building adjacentto the living quarters of the Marshailese. Further decontamination of per- sonnel and clothing was instituted. Members of the team were assigned responsibilities for examinations. Daily sick call and treatment in the Clinic were established. Medical histories were taken and physical examinations were carried out with the assistance of Jack Tobin, a Trust Territory anthropologist; Kathleen 7s, a Marshallese nurse, and Billiet Edmond, a school teacher, who served as interpreters. Medical examinations at Kwajalein. 2. Medical Findings The details of the medical findingsin our initial survey can be found in Reference A-2. . During the first two days after detonation of the bomb about two-thirds of the Rongelap people experienced anorexiaand nausea; a few vomited and had diarrhea. The majority had itching and burning sensations of the skin in exposed areas. Only one of the 18 people who had been on Ailingnae Atoll had these symp- toms and noneof the symptomswerenoted in the Americansand people of Utirik. Significant exposure to radiation depresses some elements of the blood, particularly the white cells which protect against infection and REMOVED PRIVASY SCT nAATERIAL 200k 158 ,