14
low excretors either heterozygous or homozygous
for the dominantallele. Striking differences in the
incidence of high excretors in various populations
have been demonstrated, and it appears that this
genetic polymorphism may be of considerable
value in anthropo-genetic investigations.**-**
As a part of the study of the genetic relation-
ships and origins of various Pacific peoples, this report extends observations on BAIB excretion to
the Micronesians inhabiting the Marshall Islands.
The fact that some of the Micronesians were exposed to considerable radiation in 1954 is of
special interest here, since it is known that radiation exposure can, temporarily at least, increase
BAIB excretion,?* and studies on the Marshallese
population may elucidate possible long-term effects.
Urine samples from 65 exposed and 119 unexposed people (75.7% of the population ofthevillage) were collected in plastic bottles containing
thymol preservative. The sexes were equally repreua
sented, and the ages varied from 3 to >>70 years.
In somecases several membersof the same family
were included, and some kinships suitable for
genetic analysis were available. Eighteen samples
collected on Utirik were also studied. Urines were
kept at 4°C andshippedin refrigerated containers
carried out every year need be done only once
every two to three years. In addition, as pointed
out before, the Trust Territory officials were concerned about the slowness of economic recovery of
the Rongelapese and felt that the numerousvisiting scientific teams, particularly those with large
ships and crews, were partly responsible for the
unrest of the people and therefore requested that
the size of the surveys be kept to a minimum.It
was decided to defer the gammaspectrographic
analysis until 1961. The Trust Territory officials
agreed to greater participation of their medical
personnel in future surveys and to the use of one
of their cargo ships (Figure 9), which routinely
madethe roundsofthe islands for gathering cop-
ra, for carrying out the survey at Rongelap. Accordingly, for the 1960 survey the team consisted
of only one physician and one technician from
Brookhaven National Laboratory, and the remainderof the medical group, arranged by the
Trust Territory, included its Director of Public
Health, two Marshallese medical officers, and two
Micronesian laboratory technicians. The Director
of Dental Services and oneof his dental officers
also accompanied the team to carry out treatment
of the people. The District Administrator of the
Marshall Islands accompanied the team in order
to Seattle for analysis. These studies were carried
out by one of us (B.S. Blumberg) and Dr. S.A.
Gartler of the Department of Medicine, School of
Medicine, University of Washington. Studies were
to consult with the people on their agricultural
program. *
imens. Determinations of BAIB were carried out
by high voltage electrophoresis on paper,”* and
lap visit,
completed 2 to 3 weeks after collection of the spec-
creatinine was determinedbythe alkaline picrate
method.
Radionuclide Body Burden Evaluation
‘The methods used in the radionuclide body
burden evaluation are described later in a separate section.
1960 Survey
BACKGROUND MATERIAL
The 1960 survey was reducedin size and scope
and limited to a very brief examination of the exposed people only. Several factors brought about
this change. The people had recovered to the ex-
tent that certain special examinations previously
As in the previous year, several of the exposed
people nowliving at Kwajalein and Majuro Atolls
were examinedatthese atolls prior to the Ronge-
PROCEDURES
As in previous surveys, examinations were
carried out in the dispensary and the schoolhouse
in Rongelap village. Interval medical histories and
complete physical examinations were carried out
*Again in 1960, when the team arrived at Rongelap, the magistrate requested a meeting with the people. The line of questions
and discussion was about the same as that reported for the previous year. Resistance toward the examinations was expressed by
only one or two of the people. Objections were again raised
against the ban on eating coconut crabs, which selectively con-
centrate Sr°° to such an extent that their consumption had to be
prohibited (Figure 4). The people were assured that these crabs
were being repeatedly examined and that, when it was safe to
eat them, immediate notification would be given. Fish poisoning
apparently had beenless of a problem during the past year since
only one case had been noted, and the subject was not brought
up again. Foliowing this meeting, cooperation by the peoplein
the examinations was almost complete.