3.1
Iacroduction
Facsovut or Ramaactive material commenced
approximately 4-¢€ hours after detonation of
3.2
Doane Tix Fiast 24-48 hours after exposere,
about 25 percent of the Marshallese in the two
higher exposure groups experienced itching and
a burning sensation of the skin. A few aleo
complained of burning of the eyes with lachrymation. These symptoms were present to a
the thermonuclear device. On the most heavily
contaminated island, Rongelap, the fallout was
described as « powdery material, “snowlike,”
which fell over a period of several hours and
whitened the hair and adhered to the skin.
Less striking fallout described as “mist-like”
was observed on <Ailinginae and Rongerik.
Fallowt was not visible on Utirik, which was
leeser extent in the Americans on Rongerik
Atoll who were aware of the danger, took shei-
contaminated to only a mild degree. The se-
ter in aluminum buildings, bathed and changed
clothes. These precautions greatly reduced
verity of the skin manifestations was roughly
proportional to the amount of fallout observed.
the subsequent development of skin lesions in
this group. The people on Utirik, the farthest from the detonation, had no early skin symp-
The population of the four island groups and
incidence of the skin lesions were as follows:
Geo r
Roagerik
64 Marshallese
18 Marehali se
23 White Americans
5 NegroAmericans
Vein. 2. 157 Marshallese .
- Heavy (snowlike)......
, Moderate (mistlike)...
| Nome
ef exposed personnel to Kwaja-
medical facilities were available,
plished one to two dava after the
Decontamingtion of the skin was com-
menced aboard ship, and completed after ar-
rival at Kwajslein.
Skin examinations were carried out almost
daily during the first 11 weeks and then again at
6 mont ba, 1 aad 2 years after the accident. Ex
aminatigns of unexposed Amerpenas and native
gel were also carried out fa comparative
Color photographs and biopsies of
Mvericu: stages of development were
os
o $+
&
Slight.
00.2.2. | No skin lesions of epilation.
!
toms.
All skin «ymptom= subsided within 1
to 2 days.
(Om armval of the medical team on
the ninth post-exposure day, the expused personnel appeared to be in yood health. The
skin appeared normal.
However, evidence of
cutaneous radiation injury appeared about 2
weeks after exposure when epilation and skin
Jesions commenced. Erythema of the skin was
not observed either during the early examinations when a prunary erythema might be expected, or jater when a secondary erythema
might be expected.
After subsidence of the initial skin symp-
toma, further symptorns referrable to the skin
7
al
$s
Extensive
| Lens extennive
., Moderate (mistlike).. ..
——
taken.
Extaesqavertes oF 6c Lowows ine
veut
Bras
Fiattory Oossaven
Com postr
Rongelap . .
Ailimginae.... .__.
Signs aad Symproms
¥