Fortunately, this course of action was unnecessary. The exposure to gamma radiation received by the people was sublethal. Based on the known effects of radiation in animals, an additional 100 rad of radiation might have resulted in fatalities, perhaps even with treatment. It is fortunate that no one lived on the northern islands of Rongelap atoll! since the radiation leveis there were definitely in the lethal range. In spite of the significant degree of hematological depression, there was no evidence of bleeding nor evidence of increased susceptibility to infections in the exposed people. An epidemic of upper respiratory infections that occurred in the Marshallese during the period of the examination was no worse in the more . heavily exposed than in the less exposed Utirik group. Blood transfusions were not considered. (Blood transfusions had been used in treating the exposed Japanese fishermen, one of whom later died of hepatitis.) It was decided not to use prophylactic antibiotics since the possible developmentof bacterial resistance to antibiotics might reducetheir effectiveness if infections developed. After the initial examinations were com-. pleted, the AEC decided to move the Utirik people back to their homeisland since the low residual radiation levels were considered safe for habitation (A-3). In J une they were. aeawel ° eo ne sent pore.” . returned anéprovi Pa ‘applethentary Radiation burns of thefeet we _DeROAry,: food. Howavet! d of Rengelapisland " a Date ome,* s oe ‘showedtitredistionlevele-were togbigh.to™ te rettre--Ths . permitPUFTReple ‘they. =<. "4 . - Were moved to.temporaryquarterssat up for . therm ona smallislandijst)atMajuro Atoll. several hundred milés southof Kwajalein. Following our initial examinations of the . American servicemen, they were taken to Tripler Army Hospital in Honolulu for further examination by Army physicians. The exposed Marshallese would continue to be examined by our medical team. G. Dose Estimates The Japanese at Hiroshima and Nagasaki were exposed mainly to direct gamma radiation, with a small neutroneestribution from the detonating bombs and the resulting fission products. They suffered extensive trauma and-- thermal burns. There was no significantfallout. On the other hand, the Marshallese suffered no Lose of hair in a young Rongelap giri dueto fallout deposit on the scalp. F004 1 bi direct ¢ effects from the detonation itself, and their exposure was due entirely to radioactive